Psa. 124:0 A Song of degrees of David.
Three times each year the men of Israel were to come to the temple and present themselves before the Lord.
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty….”
Many believe that these fifteen Psalms that are called the songs of degrees (elevation, journey to a higher place, go up) because they were to be sung as they ascended the temple mount.
Psa. 124:1 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, now may Israel say;
Psa. 124:2 If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Psa. 124:3 Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
Psa. 124:4 Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:
Psa. 124:5 Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.
Because we know this is a psalm of David, we know it must be in reference to events in the history of Israel in his own time or in times past or both. Israel had faced many enemies as a nation from the time that Pharaoh came after them with his army just after they had left Egypt until David and his armies had established Israel as a mighty nation by defeating their surrounding enemies. Many of these battles were miraculously won against all odds.
The initial conquering of Canaan.
From Midian by Gideon and his 300 (Judges 7).
From the Philistines led by Samuel (1Samuel 7).
From Goliath and the Philistines by David and the armies of Israel.
The waters reference their enemies, the proud waters their arrogant, prideful enemies.
The fact that these songs were sung as a nation three times a year shows that they recognized the importance of remembering God’s past deliverance and provision as evidence of His ability to continue to deliver and provide for them and as motivation for their continued obedience to Him as LORD.
I think this is an important truth for Christians today. We need to make note of and remember the times that God so obviously “shows up” on our behalf. I personally believe that those times are far more numerous than I have actually recognized in my life. Those times will serve as a foundation for strong faith in other trying times that we may face. We know that God never changes and that He keeps His word. As we have been able to count on Him in the past, we will continue to be able to count on Him in the future.
1John 4:8 “…God is love.”
1Corinthians 10:13 “…God is faithful….”
Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not….”
Psa. 124:6 Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
Again, this is recognition that it was due to the LORD’s provision that the nation of Israel had not been devoured by their enemies.
Psa. 124:7 Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
“snare” = a spring net, a trap
No matter what the enemy might use against them, the LORD had preserved His people and delivered them from the plans of their enemies.
Wiersbe: “The picture is that of a helpless bird who heedlessly walked into the trap in order to eat the food. Satan always has fascinating bait to offer. The Lord may allow us to fall into a trap, but nobody can keep us there when he wants us to be free.”
Psa. 124:8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
David is always bold and proud to acknowledge YHWH, the self-existent eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth, as the covenant God of Israel. David knew that when we place our faith in the Creator of heaven and earth, there is no greater source of love and protection.
It stood out to me that though David is the author, this is a song for the nation. I can’t help but think how desperately our nation needs to remember her own blessings “under God” and be reminded that it is as we gave God the preeminence, we enjoyed greater blessing. At this stage, we have basically denied God any place in our nation as whole. We may be called the most powerful nation on earth, but we are nothing before the Maker of heaven and earth. And I believe we are just beginning to experience judgment that portends even greater judgment to come.
Psa. 125:0 A Song of degrees.
Three times each year the men of Israel were to come to the temple and present themselves before the Lord.
Deuteronomy 16:16 “Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty….”
Many believe that these fifteen Psalms that are called the songs of degrees (elevation, journey to a higher place, go up) because they were to be sung as they ascended the temple mount.
Psa. 125:1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Mount Zion makes reference to the temple mount in Jerusalem. Scripture is clear that the LORD is going to rule from mount Zion.
Isaiah 24:23 “Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.”
Scripture also declares that of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Isaiah 9:6-7 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”
The Psalmist is saying that those that trust in the LORD will live forever just as surely as God’s Kingdom will last forever. Trust/belief goes hand in hand with stability and permanence.
Isaiah 26:4 “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength….”
Psa. 125:2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
The mountainous terrain of Jerusalem formed a natural protective barrier. I found the following quote at http://www.bible-history.com/jerusalem/firstcenturyjerusalem_the_land_of_jerusalem.html.
“The city of Jerusalem rests on a limestone plateau 2500 feet above sea level. It is located in the central hill country, and is near the border of the Judean desert. It is far removed from any major trade routes. On the west side of Jerusalem are the Judean mountains, on the east side is the Judean desert, which descends 4000 feet in 10 miles at the Dead Sea. The rugged terrain of Jerusalem was a definite military advantage; it was easy to defend because the city can only be reached on its northern side. The east, west, and southern sides had steep valleys.”
The Psalmist is comparing the LORD’s protection of His people to the security the mighty mountains surrounding Jerusalem provided its people; a mighty defense with which he was familiar. It’s really a parallel statement to the previous verse, which is a common characteristic of Hebrew poetry.
Psa. 125:3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
The Psalmist is confident that God will not allow the wicked to have permanent rule over the righteous, since this would provoke the righteous to act wickedly. I think the Psalmist is clearly speaking from the perspective of trust and realization that God’s reckoning of time is far different from our reckoning of time. In connection with the previous two verses, I would say he is looking forward to Messiah’s Kingdom, knowing that the wicked will have their temporary victories. In the Psalmist’s eyes the “lot of the righteous” would be to live in the land of Israel with the LORD as their King.
Psa. 125:4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
This verse is worded like a prayer. It’s interesting that He starts out expressing confidence in the LORD’s blessing and protection of His people, and in this verse he is asking for blessing. It reminds me of the man who came to Jesus and said, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)
Psa. 125:5 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.
The Psalmist is confident, however, that YHWH will “take away” or cause to “vanish” those that do wrong. This is really the flip side of the coin stamped with the previous verse.
In the heart of the Psalmist, it is clear that Israel corresponds to those that do good and are upright in heart. Peace is a reference to “safety, happiness, health and prosperity.”
Although Israel will always have a distinct place in God’s provision for His people, the principles for God’s dealings with all people of faith are the same. Those who trust in the LORD will experience life in the security of His protection forever. Those that do good (live according to God’s word) and are upright in heart (pure motives) will experience the peace of God. Those who choose to live wickedly live outside God’s presence and provision.
The Hebrew for peace also makes reference to straight. It’s another poetic expression of the opposite sides of a coin.
Crooked = wrongdoers = outside God’s presence
Straight = good doers = surrounded by God’s presence