Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Psalms 125:5

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Psalms 125:5. As for such as turn aside — Who are not faithful; who give way to sin; who backslide, and walk in a crooked way, widely different from the straight way of the upright, ישרים yesharim, the straight in heart; they shall be led forth to punishment with the common workers of iniquity. Thus thy Church will be purified, and thy peace rest upon thy true Israel. Let him that readeth understand.

ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH PSALM

It is the purpose of the psalmist to comfort the people of God, -

I. By an assurance of their perpetuity, both from God's presence and protection, Psalms 125:1-2.

II. That though he may permit them to be harassed by the wicked, yet he will not leave them under their rod. Psalms 125:3.

III. He prays for the good; and,

IV. Sets down the portion of the wicked, Psalms 125:4-5.

I. A general promise of the perpetuity of the Church; that is, of them "that trust in God."

1. "They that trust in the Lord:" "The congregation of God's faithful people, who have the pure word of God preached, and the sacraments duly administered," Acts xix. ??

2. "Shall be as Mount Zion," secure and immovable; immovable, because a mountain, - a holy mountain, - and particularly dear to God.

3. "Which abideth for ever:" So surely as Mount Zion shall never be removed, so surely shall the Church of God be preserved. Is it not strange that wicked and idolatrous powers have not joined together, dug down this mount, and carried it into the sea, that they might nullify a promise in which the people of God exult! Till ye can carry Mount Zion into the Mediterranean Sea, the Church of Christ shall grow and prevail. Hear this, ye murderous Mohammedans!

4. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem," - to fortify it.

5. "So the Lord is round about his people" - to preserve them.

6."From henceforth, even for ever:" Through both time and eternity.

II. 1. But the Church is often persecuted and harassed. Granted; for the "rod," the power and scourge, "of the wicked, may come into the heritage of the righteous."

2. But then may it not finally prevail? No: for though it come, it shall not rest.

3. And why? Because it might finally destroy the Church, pervert the good, and cause them to join issue with the ungodly. Therefore, "they shall not be tempted above that they are able."

III. Therefore the psalmist prays, -

1. "Do good to the good:" Give them patience, and keep them faithful.

2. And "to the upright in heart:" Let not the weak and the sincere be overcome by their enemies:

IV. He sets down the lot of the ungodly: -

1. "They turn aside."

2. They get into crooked paths; they get into the spirit of the world, and are warped into its crooked and winding ways.

3. They shall be condemned, and then led forth to punishment. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways; he shall have writhing in pain, for crooked walking in sin.

4. But while this is their portion, "peace," prosperity, and blessedness, "shall be upon Israel."

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Psalms 125-128 Lessons from Jerusalem

As the worshippers journey towards Jerusalem, they recall some of the varied experiences that the city has passed through. They see these as typical of the experiences of God’s people as a whole. Believers are like Jerusalem in that they are completely secure and fully protected (125:1-2). Although Jerusalem sometimes came under the rule of its enemies, God never allowed these enemies to control it for long, in case God’s people lost their devotion to him (3). In the same way God cares for the righteous and punishes their enemies (4-5).
On another occasion God saved Jerusalem from some who plundered the land and threatened to destroy the capital. Israel rejoiced in God’s loving deliverance (126:1-3). But their problems were not over. Hard work lay ahead of them if they were to restore the land. They relied on God to provide water in the dry Negeb region, but they realized that they would have to work hard and long before they could enjoy the fruits of the land again. The lesson for the travellers is that they must persevere if they are to enjoy God’s blessing (4-6).
Whether in governing Jerusalem or in building a family, people must acknowledge the sovereign rule of God. If they become nervous wrecks because of worry-filled days and sleepless nights, their faith in God is shown to be weak (127:1-2). The travellers receive a further encouragement to trust in God by the reminder that a large and healthy family is a blessing from God. It also gives a person stability, strength and honour in society (3-5)
If people’s lives are characterized by trust, obedience and perseverance, they will enjoy the blessings of personal security and a happy home (128:1-4). Wherever God dwells, whether in the sense of dwelling in the family or in the sense of dwelling in Jerusalem, his people there will enjoy his fullest blessing (5-6).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

“Do good, O Jehovah, unto those that are good, And to them that are upright in their hearts. But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, Jehovah will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel.”

The implication here is that not all of Israel are “good.” McCullough has this comment.

“In this psalm there are two groups of people. On the one hand, there are those who trust in the Lord, i.e., those who put their trust in the Lord, and who call themselves `the righteous,’ `those who are good’ and `those who are upright in their hearts.’ On the other hand, there are those who are connoted by scepter of wickedness, and along with these, there are, `those who turn aside unto their crooked ways.’ Apparently these latter are renegade Jews who have associated themselves with some kind of godlessness.”The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. IV, p. 662.

This is by far the most helpful comment we have located on this psalm. By understanding `scepter of wickedness,’ not as a reference to some king of Israel but as an idiomatic expression simply referring to renegade Jews, the whole psalm makes sense. Otherwise, there continues to remain some ambiguity regarding the meaning of Psalms 125:3.

The reason why this expression was used was also explained by McCullough. Those renegade Jews had joined themselves with some kind of foreign, or pagan, ruling class, suggesting the term “scepter of wickedness.”

“Peace be upon Israel” “The psalm ends with this liturgical prayer for Israel’s peace.”Ibid.

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways - The wicked. Those who leave the right or straight path, and wander in forbidden ways. The word here rendered “crooked ways” occurs nowhere else except in Judges 5:6, where it is rendered “by-ways,” meaning unfrequented paths or roads; narrow and crooked paths, remote from the highways, or the ways commonly traversed. Hence, the word means also paths of sin - as deviations from the straight road which man should travel.

The Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity - They shall be dealt with as sinners. They shall be punished. The allusion is to backsliders; to those who forsake the worship of God; who cease to do “good;” who, though among the professed people of God, wander from him in by-paths and forbidden ways. The idea is, that their profession of religion will not save them; that they will not obtain the divine blessing merely because they are avowedly the people of God, or are numbered among them, but that they will be treated as all other sinners are: they will be led forth with all the wicked, and will be treated like them. Compare Ezekiel 33:12-13; Matthew 7:22-23; Matthew 25:11-12.

But peace shall be upon Israel - Upon the real Israel; upon the true people of God. Galatians 6:16; Isaiah 54:13; Isaiah 55:12; Isaiah 57:2; Isaiah 66:12; John 14:27; John 16:33; Ephesians 2:17; Philippians 4:7.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

5.But those who turn aside into their crooked paths, etc. As the participle המטים, hammattim, is in the conjugation Hiphil, it should, according to the rules of grammar, be rather translated in an active sense — those who cause to turn aside; but it being no uncommon thing for verbs in that conjugation to be taken in a neuter sense, the, version which I have followed is probably the correct one. Still, as the active signification is not less appropriate, I would leave the reader freely to exercise his own judgment. The meaning is, that God does not always connive at the wickedness of those who, while boasting of a hollow and counterfeit profession, wander hither and thither according to their own lust, or even corrupt the simple, and draw them into the same excess of sinning with themselves. I have no doubt that the Psalmist here speaks of hypocrites, who are so hardened by temporary impunity, as to claim to themselves a place among the holiest of men, because God exercises forbearance towards them. Not only do we see the good mingled with the bad in the world, but we also behold on the barn-floor of the Lord the wheat lying hidden under the chaff and refuse. In this dubious and confused state of matters, the bad are elated with pride, as if they were among the best of God’s servants. We ought therefore to pray that God would drag them into the light, and, with the workers of iniquity, thrust them down into the punishment which they have deserved. The consequence is thatpeace, which the Prophet desires may be the privilege of Israel. He does not speak generally of all the race of Abraham, according to the flesh; he rather wishes that the Church of God may be purged of hypocrites, who occupy a place in her, until God lift up his hand to judgment. On this account I have said, that the peace of the Church springs from this — that; God, while executing his just vengeance upon reigned and counterfeit Israelites, who rend and tear in pieces her bowels, gathers together the upright in heart, and openly shows by his blessing the fatherly love which he bears towards them.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Psalms 125:1-5 . We're still ascending towards Jerusalem.

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion ( Psalms 125:1 ),

The mount upon which Jerusalem was built.

which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever ( Psalms 125:1 ).

Now the Mount of Olives won't abide forever. Zion will, but the Mount of Olives is soon going to be split by a tremendous earthquake. Right in the middle, a new valley will be formed out of Jerusalem. Now you have the valley of Hinnom, in which the valley of Kidron, and the Tyropean and the Hinnom valley merged in the valley of Hinnom, goes on out of Jerusalem. But there's going to be a new valley going out of Jerusalem when the Mount of Olives splits right in the middle and a new valley forms out of the city. This, of course, will take place when Jesus returns and puts His foot upon the top of the Mount of Olives.

The geologists have discovered a major earth fault right through the center of the Mount of Olives. It doesn't really mean anything to me. The Lord can split it without an earth fault. It shall be split. Actually, it will open up a hole, it will open up an underground river and a new river will come gushing forth out of Jerusalem, flowing into this valley and going clear on down to the Dead Sea. And the fresh waters of this new river that is formed will actually heal the waters of the Dead Sea so that they'll be able to have fish living in the Dead Sea. And it will become a center of the fishing industry. The mount of Zion abides.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people ( Psalms 125:2 )

So you stand there in Jerusalem, you look and you see the Mount Zion on the south. You see Scopus over towards the north. You see the Mount of Olives on towards the east. Golgotha, Calvary towards the west. As the mountains surround the little city of Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people.

from henceforth even for ever ( Psalms 125:2 ).

Surrounded by God. Paul the apostle, when he was talking to the Epicurean philosophers there at the Areopagus on Mars Hill in Greece, in Athens, he said, "I perceive you men are very spiritual." He said, "As I've been going through your city, I've observed the number of idols that you have. Your places of worship. All of the different gods." For the Greeks had deified everything they could think of. You know, the sun, the moon, the planets, they were all deities. And then having run out of stars and planets and constellations to deify, they began to deify even emotions. So they had the god of love, the god of hate, the god of fear, the god of joy, the god of sorrow, the god of grief, and the various gods. They had deified just about anything you could think of.

Now one fellow got an idea, "Maybe we're missing a god. Maybe we haven't thought of him." So he built an altar and he put the inscription over, "To the Unknown God." "Whoever you may be, wherever you might be. We don't want you to feel offended and that you've been slighted. So here, we've got an altar to worship the unknown God."

So Paul said, "I perceive you're very religious. I've seen all of your altars as I've walked through your city." He said, "And one caught my attention. For it was inscribed, 'To the Unknown God.'" He said, "I'd like to tell you about this God. He's the One who made the heaven and the earth and everything that is in them. And in Him we live and move and have our being" ( Acts 17:28 ) In other words, I am surrounded by Him. I am living in His midst. I live, I move, I have my being in Him.

When Daniel was brought before Belshazzar at this feast, after the writing appeared on the walls, he said, "Belshazzar, God gave to your grandfather this glorious kingdom of Babylon. But he was lifted up with pride. And so God allowed him a period of madness until he realized that it was God who ruled and reigned." And he said, "But this God, the very God in whose hand your breath is, you have not glorified." Surrounded by God. My very breath depended upon Him.

So as the mountains are around about Jerusalem, so God is around about His people. You're surrounded by God. He encompasses us. As the one-hundred-and-thirty-ninth psalm said, "O Lord, Thou hast searched me and known me. You know every time I sit down, every time I stand up." He said, "You have gone before me. You're behind me, and Your hand is upon me." "Thou has beset me before and behind, and Thine hand is upon me" ( Psalms 139:5 ). Surrounded by God.

I never come to any place in my life but God has not preceded me there. I can look back and see the hand of God, as He was on my life even in the past, even when I wasn't interested. Surrounded by God. Your life is encompassed by Him.

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. 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 ( Psalms 125:3-5 ).

So, again, the remembrance of the troubles from the cities from whence they were coming. Looking forward again to that time of coming into the consciousness of God's presence "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

Psalms 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 because they lived as unbelievers do. This psalm of ascent is a communal song of confidence and a communal lament. [Note: Dahood, 3:214.]

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

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 Psalms 125:4, the psalmist asked God to bless those of His people who do good and remain upright in their attitudes and affections. In Psalms 125:5, 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 (Psalms 125:1-3). The psalmist closed by praying for peace on Israel, which in the context required walking with God.

"The life of faith is not easy, but the life of unbelief is much harder-in this life and in the life to come." [Note: Wiersbe, The . . . Wisdom . . ., p. 344.]

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.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,.... The ways of sin, immorality, or error; which are crooked ways, not agreeing with the word of God, the rule of faith and practice. This seems to design not openly profane sinners, who have always lived in a course of sin and wickedness; but carnal professors, who, through affliction and persecution because of the word, are offended, and desert the good ways of God; and turn from the holy commandment, word, and ordinances, they have professionally embraced;

the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity; the Targum adds,

"to hell.''

These hypocrites shall be led forth by the Lord with abandoned sinners, like malefactors to the place of execution; when he shall bid them depart from him, and they shall go into everlasting fire; and if there is any place in hell hotter than another, those shall have it; see Matthew 7:23;

[but] peace [shall be] upon Israel; upon every true Israelite, upon the whole Israel of God; the apostle seems to have respect to this passage in Galatians 6:16; such shall have spiritual peace in their hearts now, and eternal peace hereafter. The words may be read either as a prayer that it might be, or as a prophecy that it should be; and may have regard unto the latter day, when all the enemies of Christ and his church shall be destroyed, and there shall be abundance of peace, so long as the moon endures, Psalms 72:7. Aben Ezra observes, that the psalmist prays that God would remove the wicked far off, and then there would be peace in Israel; and to the same purpose Arama and Kimchi interpret it.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      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.

      Here is, 1. The prayer the psalmist puts up for the happiness of those that are sincere and constant (Psalms 125:4; Psalms 125:4): Do good, O Lord! unto those that are good. This teaches us to pray for all good people, to make supplication for all saints; and we may pray in faith for them, being assured that those who do well shall certainly be well dealt with. Those that are as they should be shall be as they would be, provided they be upright in heart, that they be really as good as they seem to be. With the upright God will show himself upright. He does not say, Do good, O Lord! to those that are perfect, that are sinless and spotless, but to those that are sincere and honest. God's promises should quicken our prayers. It is comfortable wishing well to those for whom God has engaged to do well. 2. The prospect he has of the ruin of hypocrites and deserters; he does not pray for it (I have not desired the woeful day, thou knowest), but he predicts it: As for those, who having known the way of righteousness, for fear of the rod of the wicked, basely turn aside out of it to their wicked ways, use indirect ways to prevent trouble or extricate themselves out of it, or those who, instead of reforming, grow worse and worse and are more obstinate and daring in their impieties, God shall send them away, cast them out, and lead them forth with the workers of iniquity, that is, he will appoint them their portion with the worst of sinners. Note, (1.) Sinful ways are crooked ways; sin is the perverting of that which is right. (2.) The doom of those who turn aside to those crooked ways out of the right way will be the same with theirs who have all along walked in them, nay, and more grievous, for if any place in hell be hotter than another that shall be the portion of hypocrites and apostates. God shall lead them forth, as prisoners are led forth to execution. Go, you cursed, into everlasting fire; and these shall go away; all their former righteousness shall not be mentioned unto them. The last words, Place upon Israel, may be taken as a prayer: "God preserve his Israel in peace, when his judgments are abroad reckoning with evil-doers." We read them as a promise: Peace shall be upon Israel; that is, [1.] When those who have treacherously deserted the ways of God meet with their own destruction those who faithfully adhere to them, though they may have trouble in their way, shall have peace in the end. [2.] The destruction of those who walk in crooked ways will contribute to the peace and safety of the church. When Herod was cut off the word of God grew,Acts 12:23; Acts 12:24. [3.] The peace and happiness of God's Israel will be the vexation, and will add much to the torment, of those who perish in their wickedness, Luke 13:28; Isaiah 65:13. My servants shall rejoice, but you shall be ashamed.