Psalm 125 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 125:1
Verse: הַחֹסִים בַּיהוָה כְּרֹמֵם הָרִים
Transliteration: Ha-chosim b’Adonai k’romem harim
English: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.”
Focus Word: חָסָה (Chasah)
- Root: ח-ס-ה (Chet-Samech-Heh)
- Meaning: “To take refuge,” “to trust,” “to seek shelter.”
- Deeper Insight: Chasah conveys dependence and confident security, reflecting steadfast trust in God.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| בָּטַח — batach | Verse 1 — “Those who trust in the LORD…” | “To trust,” rely confidently. | Batach (“to trust”) expresses unwavering confidence in God. It signifies inner security rooted in divine faithfulness. The word anchors the Psalm’s central promise. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| הַר־צִיּוֹן — Har Tziyon | Verse 1 — “…are like Mount Zion…” | “Mount Zion,” immovable hill. | Har Tziyon (“Mount Zion”) symbolizes stability, permanence, and divine presence. It conveys unshakable covenant security. The term strengthens the Psalm’s central metaphor. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| לֹא־יִמּוֹט — lo yimot | Verse 1 — “…which cannot be moved.” | “Not be moved,” unshaken. | Lo Yimot (“not be moved”) expresses immovability and enduring stability. It reveals the steadfastness granted by trust. The phrase enhances assurance. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| סָבַב — savav | Verse 2 — “As the mountains surround Jerusalem…” | “To surround,” encircle. | Savav (“to surround”) conveys protective enclosure. It pictures divine guardianship. The word reinforces security of the faithful. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| עַד־עוֹלָם — ad olam | Verse 2 — “…forever.” | “Forever,” eternally. | Ad Olam (“forever”) stresses unending duration. It underscores the permanence of God’s protection. The phrase enriches confidence in divine constancy. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| שֵׁבֶט — shevet | Verse 3 — “The scepter of wickedness…” | “Rod,” scepter, rule. | Shevet (“scepter”) symbolizes oppressive authority. It contrasts unjust rule with God’s righteous protection. The term frames the moral struggle faced by the righteous. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| מְנוּחָה — menuchah | Implied concept from context | “Rest,” settled peace. | Menuchah (“rest”) expresses inner stability granted by God. It reflects spiritual tranquility amidst adversity. The term complements the Psalm’s imagery of security. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| הֵטִיב — hetiv | Verse 4 — “Do good, O LORD…” | “To do good,” bless. | Hetiv (“to do good”) emphasizes benevolent divine action. It expresses a plea for continued favor. The verb reinforces God as giver of blessing. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| טוֹבִים — tovim | Verse 4 — “…to those who are good…” | “Good,” upright. | Tovim (“good/upright”) marks moral integrity. It identifies those aligned with God’s ways. The word connects character with divine blessing. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| פְּסַע — pesa | Verse 5 — “…those who turn aside…” | “To turn aside,” deviate. | Pesa (“to turn aside”) conveys moral deviation and crookedness. It highlights departure from God’s path. The verb reinforces the Psalm’s ethical contrast. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Scott (University of Edinburgh, 1747–1821) | Commentary on the Holy Bible | Scott portrays the Psalm as affirming the stability and protection of those trusting in God. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen emphasizes that God’s faithful care ensures security for the righteous amidst trials. |
| George Buchanan (St Andrews / Paris, 1506–1582) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Buchanan interprets the Psalm as offering reassurance of God’s covenantal protection. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Doddridge highlights the contrast between the security of the faithful and the instability of the wicked. |
| John Brown (Edinburgh, 1722–1787) | Self-Interpreting Bible | Brown stresses that trust in God brings peace, stability, and communal blessing. |
More On This Psalm: Commentary From Biblical Scholars
| Scholar | Paraphrase of the psalm |
|---|---|
| George Adam Smith (University of Aberdeen, 1856–1942, The Book of Psalms, Commentary) | The psalm, Smith notes, celebrates God’s faithfulness to His people and the security found in His care. |
| F.D. Maurice (King’s College London, 1805–1872, Theological Essays) | Maurice interprets the psalm as a reminder that trust in God leads to protection and peace. |
| John Kitto (University of London, 1804–1854, Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature) | Kitto sees this psalm as showing that God protects His people like a secure fortress and blesses those who trust Him. |
| Alexander Maclaren (University of Manchester, 1826–1910, Expositions of Holy Scripture) | Maclaren points out that this psalm reassures the faithful that God’s guidance preserves them from harm. |
| Charles Hodge (Princeton University, 1797–1878, Commentary on the Psalms) | Hodge emphasizes that the psalm highlights God’s steadfast care and the stability of those who follow Him. |
THEY THAT TRUST IN THE LORD
Thought for the day: You cannot trust in the Lord and be put to shame.
Message:
This scripture energized my spirit when I saw what God said about those who put their trust in Him. You may not understand the depth of what God meant until you understand what Mount Zion means:
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
To have an understanding of this verse then you must understand the spiritual meaning of Mount Zion.
Zion is the dwelling place of God and Mount Zion is His throne, when the scripture compares those that trust in the Lord to Mount Zion, see some bible verses about this
Micah 4:7 “and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forevermore.”
Isaiah 33:20 “Look on Zion, the city of our festivals; your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful abode, a tent that will not be moved; its stakes will never be pulled up, nor any of its ropes broken.”
Joel 3:16 (NIV) “The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”
This is the heritage of a person that makes God his trust: the strength of God rests on Zion and God will protect His own.
My Counsel:
Ø Don’t allow any situation to take you away from trusting God
Ø God will always rise for you from Zion, just trust him
Declaration
Father, I ask that you help me to trust you the more in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
