July 4, 2020
For the next 15 days we will be reading through the Psalms of Ascent together as a church! The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of 15 psalms (Psalms 120-134) that pilgrims would sing on their way up to Jerusalem to worship. These songs are meant to instruct and prepare the hearts of the traveler to worship the Lord! As sojourners and aliens in this world, we too need to have our hearts prepared for and instructed in the worship of our God. Let’s meditate on these psalms and allow the Spirit of the Lord to move us to true worship as we seek Him together!
In this song the pilgrim worshipper declares his confidence in the Lord’s protection and vindication towards His faithful ones. He envisions the Lord surrounding His saints as a high wall would surround a fortified city and affirms that He will never cease to protect them in this way. The psalmist expresses trust that the Lord will not allow the unrighteous to rule over His people forever, whether the “scepter of wickedness” (v.3) is in reference to a foreign power or a wicked king in Jerusalem itself, and looks forward with confidence that the Lord will one day “do good…to those who are good” (v.4), but “lead [the unrighteous] away with evildoers” (v.5).
God calls His people throughout history to entrust themselves to His care and to His absolute rule whenever they are under the oppression of unjust rulers. For us this can take many forms: wicked men and women in power over our nation, unjust people with power over our communities, and even corrupt leadership within the church itself.
God is calling us through this psalm, no matter what situation we may find ourselves in, to have unshakable confidence in His protection over us, in His sovereign rule on our behalf, and in the fact that He will one day vindicate His people and expose these powers that be for what they really are.
Verse 3 presents a dilemma for God’s people: whenever the unrighteous have power over the righteous, it can very easily lead the righteous to act in unrighteous ways. The Lord is calling His people to be maintain their ultimate and supreme allegiance and loyalty to Him alone over any earthly power, to remain faithful to His way. He promises that in the end, when He vindicates His people once and for all, we will find that it was worth it.
Psalm 125
The Lord Surrounds His People
A Song of Ascents.
125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Family Discussion Question:
- What can it look like for us, in our context and culture, to remain faithful to the Lord in the face of corrupt or unrighteous leadership? How might the Lord be calling you specifically to entrust yourself to His protection and His vindication?
Dear Heavenly Father,
How very powerful are Your Words everyday and especially in these days we are living. When we see so much destruction and anarchy within our country, we want to rise up and stamp it out. Some may even go too far and actually turn to violence themselves in an order to stop it. This cannot happen because You have told us to be patient and wait on You. As believers , we have to have faith and trust in Your Word that You will never forsake us. You will return one day and wipe the world clean of all its impurities and unrighteousness with one wave of Your mighty hand.
Every knee will bow to You and know that You are LORD. Please forgive our weak and impatient nature and help us to deepen our trust and faith in You. “For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed to Him until that day. ” In the precious name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Amen and Amen.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. The Lord surrounds his people,
Heavenly Father,
I pray that you would remove the scales from our eyes so that we can see your truth and give us discernment to recognize true righteousness. Satan is busy as he wants us to focus on the evil and hate that is consistently being revealed and I pray that you would weed out the ugliness and elevate the love that we have for each other. Take down the wicked and allow all Christians to rise up to the challenge by doing good, sharing the gospel and loving each other the way you love us. Protect us from this world by continuing to instill in us your word so that we can remain in your will and plan that you are so good at orchestrating. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Thank you Lord for this great assurance! I will not be moved. I will not be shaken. I pray that as a nation, America will turn back to you and trust you. Thank You for this great nation that You have given to us. Thank you for the freedom and, most of all, for the spiritual freedom through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Amen!
AMEN and HALLELUJAh!! I totally agree with you. Lord please surround us with your protection. Keep us pure in heart. Help is during this time of trouble in our nation. Help our people to come together as one nation under God. We forget what this nation was built upon and that was you Father God. Help me to stand strong. In Jesus name I pray Amen
God is faithful to His people and His judgments are sure and righteous.
The message today is so inspiring. I pray we continue to focus on the fact that you are in control and not the wicked, unworthy, and the evil in this world. I look to you, dear Jesus, for wisdom , guidance , protection, and discernment.
Lord Jesus, no matter what is going on in our world, our focus needs to be set on You, on Your word. Help us to trust You and to know that you see beyond today, and that You are working even when we cannot see how.
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8
Help me Lord be steadfast in my beliefs, but gentle with those that disagree. Help me express what is right and unjust, listening to others that may disagree. I will trust that ultimately you will defeat my adversaries, win over my enemies, and protect me when others act unjust toward me.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
AMEN and AMEN
“Unshakeable confidence” in the Source of our strength in times of trouble……is key. That kind of confidence doesn’t wobble and it won’t break.
Thank you Lord that you surround me with your protection. I especially lift up my adult children and their children to be surrounded by your protection and to shine your light to show them what is truth and what is right according to your Word. In Jesus Name, Amen!