Psalms 125:3

Context

125:3 Indeed,¹ the scepter of a wicked king² will not settle³

upon the allotted land of the godly.

Otherwise the godly might

do what is wrong.⁴

[125:3] ¹tn Or “for.”

[125:3] ²tn Heb “a scepter of wickedness.” The “scepter” symbolizes royal authority; when collocated with “wickedness” the phrase refers to an oppressive foreign conqueror.

[125:3] ³tn Or “rest.”

[125:3] ⁴tn Heb “so that the godly might not stretch out their hands in wrongdoing.” A wicked king who sets a sinful example can have an adverse moral and ethical effect on the people he rules.