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."