Ps 125:1-5.
God honors the confidence of His people, by protection and deliverance,
and leaves hypocrites to the doom of the wicked.
1, 2. Mount Zion--as an emblem of permanence, and locality of Jerusalem
as one of security, represent the firm and protected condition of God's
people (compare
Ps 46:5),
supported not only by Providence, but by covenant promise. Even the
mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but God's kindness
shall not depart, nor His covenant of peace be removed
(Isa 54:10).
They that trust--are "His people,"
(Ps 125:2).
3. Though God may leave them for a time under the "rod," or power
(Ps 2:9),
and oppression of the wicked for a time, as a chastisement, He will not
suffer them to be tempted so as to fall into sin
(1Co 10:13).
The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod to them, not a destroying
sword; even this rod shall not remain ("rest") on them, lest
they be tempted to despair and apostasy
(Ps 73:13, 14).
God may even try His people to the uttermost: when nothing is before our
eyes but pure despair, then He delivers us and gives life in death, and
makes us blessed in the curse
(2Co 1:8, 9)
[LUTHER].
the lot--the possession, literally, "Canaan," spiritually, the heavenly
inheritance of holiness and bliss which is appointed to the righteous.
Sin's dominion shall not permanently come between the believer and his
inheritance.
5. Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that
they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked
(Ps 28:3).
crooked ways--(Compare
De 9:16;
Mal 2:8, 9).
their--is emphatic; the "crooked ways" proceed from their own hearts. The true Israel is here distinguished from the false. Scripture
everywhere opposes the Jewish delusion that mere outward descent would
save
(Ro 2:28, 29; 9:6, 7;
Ga 6:16).
The byways of sin from the way of life.
Psalm 125 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
Ps 125:1-5. God honors the confidence of His people, by protection and deliverance, and leaves hypocrites to the doom of the wicked.
1, 2. Mount Zion--as an emblem of permanence, and locality of Jerusalem as one of security, represent the firm and protected condition of God's people (compare Ps 46:5), supported not only by Providence, but by covenant promise. Even the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but God's kindness shall not depart, nor His covenant of peace be removed (Isa 54:10).
They that trust--are "His people," (Ps 125:2).
3. Though God may leave them for a time under the "rod," or power (Ps 2:9), and oppression of the wicked for a time, as a chastisement, He will not suffer them to be tempted so as to fall into sin (1Co 10:13). The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod to them, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain ("rest") on them, lest they be tempted to despair and apostasy (Ps 73:13, 14). God may even try His people to the uttermost: when nothing is before our eyes but pure despair, then He delivers us and gives life in death, and makes us blessed in the curse (2Co 1:8, 9) [LUTHER].
the lot--the possession, literally, "Canaan," spiritually, the heavenly inheritance of holiness and bliss which is appointed to the righteous. Sin's dominion shall not permanently come between the believer and his inheritance.
4. (Compare Ps 7:10; 84:11).
5. Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked (Ps 28:3).
crooked ways--(Compare De 9:16; Mal 2:8, 9).
their--is emphatic; the "crooked ways" proceed from their own hearts. The true Israel is here distinguished from the false. Scripture everywhere opposes the Jewish delusion that mere outward descent would save (Ro 2:28, 29; 9:6, 7; Ga 6:16). The byways of sin from the way of life.