Psalms Chapter 125 |
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Psalms 125
The Eternity of Israel and Our Religious Duties |
Psalm 125
A SONG OF DEGREES
R.S. Hrisch understands the expression in Hebrew "Shir HaMalot" which is translated here as a A SONG OF DEGREES to more correctly be translated as meaning A SONG OF ASCENSTION.
We can use this Psalm to elevate ourselves.
That is what the Psalm is for.
[Psalms 125:1] THEY THAT TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE AS MOUNT ZION, WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED, BUT ABIDETH FOR EVER.
The Psalm begins by recalled those who Trust in God. On a spiritual plane anyone who believes in the God of Israel may be considered as part of Israel. Nevertheless the emphasis in on worshipping the Almighty as the GOD OF ISRAEL. This is how the Almighty chose to reveal HIMSELF in this world.
God will always be with HIS people. The People of God are represented with Mount Zion which alliterates with HIS PEOPLE in the next verse.
[Psalms 125:2] AS THE MOUNTAINS ARE ROUND ABOUT JERUSALEM, SO THE LORD IS ROUND ABOUT HIS PEOPLE FROM HENCEFORTH EVEN FOR EVER.
Here we have a connection between the People of God and Jerusalem. God is Eternal. God will always be with Jerusalem and HIS people. Jerusalem represents the religious aspects of Israel. Mount Zion is on one hand synonymous with Jerusalem. Mount Zion can always represent Joseph (Midrash Tanchuma, Kol HaTor).
We have here certain principles worth considering:
The Israelites will only ultimately be recognized as Israelites to the degree that they keep the commandments of the God of Israel.
Even if they do not keep the commandments they will always belong to the Almighty. It is as if God keeps the Ten Tribes in reserve WHILE EMPHASIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF JUDAH. Judah and Jews keeping the Law represent the heart, the living dynamo of the Israelite Nation from a relgious point of view.
[Psalms 125:3] FOR THE ROD OF THE WICKED SHALL NOT REST UPON THE LOT OF THE RIGHTEOUS; LES THE RIGHTEOUS PUT FORTH THEIR HANDS UNTO INIQUITY.
We have to believe and do the right thing.
It sometimes happens that people who have some kind of control over us try and divert us from the true path. This can encompass members of our family or our employer or teacher or spiritual guide or only friend or someone who lends us money and finanically supports us or whatever else.
This verse is telling us to do what is right and the Almighty will give us the strength (if we request it) to survive despite the loss we may incur of whatever benefit we expected to receive from the bad influence.
[Psalms 125:4] DO GOOD, O LORD, UNTO THOSE THAT BE GOOD, AND TO THEM THAT ARE UPRIGHT IN THEIR HEARTS.
God always does good to the good but we do not always perceive it or understand it. We ask the Almighty to so act with HIS Creation in a way that is also understandable to our way of seeing things. God made us as we are with our limitations of understanding. We have a certain right that things should be conducted as we understand they should.
[Psalms 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.
Those who do evil will receive evil.
The word PEACE in Hebrew is Shalom from the root ShaLeM denoting wholeness. Shalom in Hebrew includes the concepts of everything being alright, of health, well-being, and all that is needed.
WE are assured here that eventually ALL ISRAEL will return to the Almighty and be blessed by HIM.
PEACE [i.e. "Shalom"] SHALL BE UPON ISRAEL.
Psalms Chapter 125 |
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