Psalm 125

The psalmist praised God that believers are secure in their salvation and that God will keep temptation from overwhelming them. However, he cautioned God's people to follow the Lord faithfully or lose His blessing for living as unbelievers do.

 1. The security of God's people 125:1-3

Believers in Yahweh are as secure in their position as the mountain God had chosen and established as His special habitation (cf. Rom. 8:31-39). The Lord forever surrounds His people as a protective army keeping overwhelming forces from defeating them (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). God promised not to let wicked authorities overcome the righteous totally. God did permit Israel's foreign neighbors to oppress and dominate her for periods in her history. However the promise of verse 3 is that they would never completely and finally defeat Israel. The NIV translators have rendered the last part of verse 3, "For then the righteous might use their hands to do evil."

 2. The choices before God's people 125:4-5

However even though God's people are secure they have a choice concerning how they will live. They can be faithful to the Lord or depart from Him and live sinful lives. In verse 4 the psalmist asked God to bless those of His people who do good and remain upright in their attitudes and affections. In verse 5 he warned that those believers who did not follow Him faithfully would suffer a fate similar to that of the wicked. They would cease to enjoy the privileges of intimate fellowship with Yahweh. For Israel this meant banishment and captivity as an ultimate punishment. Nevertheless they would never cease to be His people (vv. 1-3). The psalmist closed by praying for peace on Israel which in the context required walking with God.

This psalm makes a distinction that is obvious in the history of Israel. The New Testament teaches that these principles apply to Christians as well. Those who trust in the Lord are eternally secure, but they can choose to follow Him faithfully and experience His blessing or depart from Him and suffer His discipline.