CXXV. This psalm brings prominently out the danger to which Israel was subjected from heathen rule—a danger of being forced or seduced away from the political and religious principles of the restored nation. From this danger the poet believes those who keep faithful to the religion of Jehovah are secured, as Jerusalem itself is secured by the strength of its geographical situation. Neither the parallelism nor the step-like rhythm is marked.
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. (2) As the mountains.—In the first verse, the stability of the faithful is compared to that of Mount Zion; here their security to that of the city girt by its hills. (On the geographical reference, see Dean Stanley, S. and P., pp. 174, 175.) Robinson’s description is—“The sacred city lies upon the broad and high mountain range, which is shut in by the two valleys, Jehoshaphat and Hinnom. All the surrounding hills are higher: in the east, the Mount of Olives; on the south, the so-called Hill of Evil Counsel, which ascends from the valley of Hinnom; on the west, the ground rises gently to the border of the great wadi, as described above; while on the north the bend of a ridge which adjoins the Mount of Olives limits the view to the distance of about a mile and a half.” In Zechariah 2:4-5, the protecting care of Jehovah is likened to a wall round the city, instead of to the rampart of mountains, as here.
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. (3) Rod.—The imagery of this unusually long verse is peculiar. The “rod of the wicked,” or “of wickedness,” is the heathen sceptre, and the righteous are the Israelites who hold fast to the religion of their fathers. This sceptre now rests—a word expressing the presence of tyranny—upon the Holy Land; but this is not for a continuance. God will not suffer the tyranny to last, lest the righteous should be seduced or forced into connivance with practices which religion unites with patriotism to condemn.
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. (5) Turn aside unto their crooked ways.—Or, bend their crooked ways, i.e., pursue evil courses.But peace.—Better, as an innovation on the customary form, peace be in Israel. (See Note on Psalm 122:6, and comp. Psalm 128:6.) |
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