Psalm 125 - Godly Kings

Psalm 125:1-5 NIV

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,

 which cannot be shaken but endures forever. 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, 

 so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, 

 for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil. 

Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. 

But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.

Psalm 125 is yet another psalm of ascent sung by pilgrims heading toward Jerusalem to worship at the temple. This psalm prays for Jerusalem with acknowledgement of the vision God has for the city and its people.

Jerusalem is the capitol for the nation of Israel therefore the vision for the city is the vision for the whole country. And since Israel, God's chosen nation, is a sign to the world inviting all nations to join in the way of blessing, the vision for Israel is the vision for all humanity. Remember Abraham and his descendants (that is Israel) were chosen to be a blessing to all people.

Genesis 12:3 NIV

I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

The psalm first acknowledges that trust in Yahweh makes one unshakable, like a mountain, like the very mountain upon which the temple stands, Zion. Indeed, just as mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds and protects those who trust in Him.

Jerusalem will be governed by godly kings, sons of David who will lead the people in keeping the covenant with God. When unfaithful and wicked kings come to power, they don't last long. God deposes them and they are replaced with another. The books of 2nd Kings and 2nd Chronicles reveal this truth. Bad kings tend to come to a bad end, but not always. Good kings tend to rule for a long time and God blesses the nation with peace and prosperity. At least that's the vision of how things are supposed to work.

Of course how things are supposed to work, doesn't always go as planned. God is not the only force at work in the world. There are forces that oppose God. While God is almighty, God appears to have a great deal of patience with His opponents. The wicked rule longer than we'd like. People suffer sometimes for a lifetime with no relief. God's patience with the wicked means suffering for their victims, but remember that God's patience is extended to you as well. That's a good thing.

2 Peter 3:9, 15 NIV

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation...

As you go toward worship this weekend remember the vision God has for Jerusalem, Israel, and the whole world. Pray for peace on Jerusalem and peace on earth. In the Lord's time, everlasting peace will come. Trust in the Lord.