The Lord Surrounds His People
Psalm 125
4th of July Message
July 4, 2010
OPEN
• One need only look around him today to know that America is in economic, political and moral trouble!
• We are plagued with financial breakdown, immigration struggles, and moral depravity.
• Were we to bring back one who died in 1950, he would not recognize our nation.
INTRODUCTION
• The psalmist rejoiced in the enduring security of Zion and its people but prayed that God would provide just rulers (125:3–5).
• God’s people were secure in Him but groaned because of the evil powers among whom they dwelt. Holman Bible Handbook
• Psalms 120–134 are known as “Songs of Ascent.”
• Tradition says each of these “pilgrim psalms” was to be sung as God’s people approached Jerusalem for one of the major worship festivals.
• Another tradition suggests that the “ascent” was fifteen steps leading up to the temple, and that these psalms were sung by choirs of Levites. Bible Reader’s Companion
READING OF THE TEXT
Psalm 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. 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.
I. THE PROMISES OF GOD (125:1-3)
A. The Security of The Saints (125:1)
Psalm 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
1. Their Character
• Many desire to claim the precious promises of God.
• Not all qualify.
• These promises are reserved for the righteous and they that TRUST in the Lord!
The good people here are those who have been saved by faith and who walk in obedience to the Lord. Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Trust in the Lord” does not import a mere general acknowledgment of God as the Governor of the universe: it implies incomparably more, even a deep conviction of his special providence, and of his incessant attention to every the minutest concern of his own peculiar people. Simeon, C. (1832-63). Horae Homileticae
APPLICATION TECHIQUE: Draw smaller circles. It is not mankind. No, it is much narrower than that. It is not religious men, Baptist men, nor Bible carrying men. It is not even saved men. It is narrower than that. It is those who “trust” (seek refuge in) God!
2. Their Comparison
• The righteous are likened unto Mt. Zion.
• To the Jews, the city seemed everlasting.
• We know that all will be destroyed by fire one day. (1 Peter 3)
• Yet this is a figure of speech (like, “The everlasting hills.”)
• The reference is to an impressive symbol of stability.
3. Their Continuance
“abideth forever”
• To have everlasting life is to have the life of God in you.
• The saints, though buffeted here, shall live forever.
• The worst that man can do to us is to send us home early!
ILLUS: School dismissed early. Do any students complain?
B. The Surrounding of the Saints (125:2)
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
1. Their Comparison
QUOTE: Jerusalem is built on one of seven mountain peaks in the region. The mountains provide some protection for the city, since any invading army would have to march through arduous and dangerous mountain paths. Yet the city’s true protection comes from the Lord. NKJV Study Bible
QUOTE: The mountains that are “round about Jerusalem” are, on the east, the Mount of Olives; on the south, the Hill of Evil Counsel; on the west, the ridge beyond the valley of Jehoshaphat; and on the north, the high ground about Scopas. All these are higher than the platform upon which the city is built. The Pulpit Commentary
• Were one to attack Jerusalem, he must come over and through these mountains.
• Were Satan to attack a believer, he must come over Jehovah God!
2. Their Confidence
a. The Encircling Presence (Job 1:10; 2 Kings 6:17; Zech. 2:5)
Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
Zechariah 2:5 For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, And will be the glory in the midst of her.
QUOTE: The compass of it: The Lord is round about his people on every side. There is no gap in the hedge of protection which he makes round about his people, at which the enemy, who goes about them, seeking to do them a mischief, can find entrance, Job 1:10. M. Henry
b. The Everlasting Presence (Heb. 13:5)
“from henceforth even for ever”
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
C. The Sustaining of the Saints (125:3)
3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest [Heb., “Sit down.”] upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
1. The Rule of the Wicked (Gen. 49:10)
• The word “rod” is in the Hebrew the word for “scepter.” (Gen. 49:10)
• The indication is that the wicked may at times rule.
QUOTE: 125:3 The scepter is the symbol of rule; “the scepter of the wicked” would refer to a corrupt and unjust rule by either a Gentile or an unrighteous Israelite or Judean king. Either situation was a threat to the righteous. (The Apologetics Study Bible)
• God, in His providence, allows Satan to be the ruler of this age.
• He allows Satan’s followers to be in power.
• At times, God allows the prosperity of the wicked as a judgment against the unrepentant saints.
2. The Restraint of the Wicked (Ps. 92:7)
Ps 92:7 When the wicked spring as the grass, And when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; It is that they shall be destroyed for ever:
QUOTE: Their troubles shall last no longer than their strength will serve to bear them up under them, v. 3. (1.) It is supposed that the rod of the wicked may come, may fall, upon the lot of the righteous. The rod of their power may oppress them; the rod of their anger may vex and torment them. It may fall upon their persons, their estates, their liberties, their families, their names, any thing that falls to their lot, only it cannot reach their souls. M. Henry
3. The Rescue from Wickedness (1 Cor. 10:13)
For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous. The people of God should not expect immunity from the scepter of wickedness any more than the city of God was immune from attack. God has promised to keep us through trials, not from them. Still, God would not permit Jerusalem to be trodden down by the Gentiles forever, lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. God will not try men beyond their strength (I Cor 10:13). He will not allow the siege to last forever. KJV Bible Commentary
1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
QUOTE: Apparently foreign domination was a burden on the nation. The psalmist said that God would not permit this scepter (lit., “rod”) of wickedness to rest on the lot of the righteous to the extent it would drive them into wickedness. In other words the test would be limited to what they could endure so they should not abandon their trust in the Lord. Bible Knowledge Commentary
God not only saves us from the enemies outside the land, He saves us from the enemy inside us … ourselves.
II. THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD (125:4-5)
A. In Rewarding the Saints (125:4; 41:1-3; Is. 54:10; Heb. 6:10)
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
• Man looks on the outward appearance, but God upon the heart.
• The question of the ages is, “Is it worth it to follow God?”
• The Bible answers this with a resounding “yes.”
Psalm 41:1-3 * 1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. 2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. 3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
Heb 6:10 — For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Isaiah 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
B. In Requiting the Sinners (125:5)
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.
1. The Recipients
a. “Crooked Ways” (Ps. 101:3; Pr. 2:15; Pr. 14:14)
QUOTE: The word translated crooked ways (Heb ˓aqalqal) occurs here only and as “highways” in Judges 5:6. It means side roads that deviate from the straight path of right. Men who are upright in their hearts, such as David, are the object of God’s watch over us; men who are workers of iniquity, such as Saul or Ahithophel, are objects of God’s wrath. King James Bible Commentary
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Proverbs 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
Proverbs 14:14 The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.
b. “Workers of Iniquity” (Mt. 7:23)
• A frequent reference in the Psalms to the unrighteous. (15X)
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
2. The Retribution (Ps. 147:6; Jer. 2:19; Mt. 24:48-51)
Psalm 147:6 The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
Jeremiah 2:19 Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.
Mt 24:48-51 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
• God will not allow the wicked to go unpunished forever!
CONCLUSION (Is. 3:10; Deut. 30:19)
Isaiah 3:10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
