Songs from the Heart Day 18 Psalm 125

Read the Psalm

Psalm 125

Israel’s Stability

A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion.

It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.

2 The mountains surround Jerusalem

and the Lord surrounds his people,

both now and forever.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain

over the land allotted to the righteous,

so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice.

4 Do what is good, Lord, to the good,

to those whose hearts are upright.

5 But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways,

the Lord will banish them with the evildoers.

Peace be with Israel.

— Christian Standard Bible

Ponder

Meditate on what you’ve read today. Use the following journal prompts as a guide. 

• What does this psalm teach you about God’s character? What did you learn about the psalmist’s posture toward or relationship with God? 

• Consider verses 1-2. Here, the psalmist uses the imagery of Mount Zion to symbolize the security, stability and protection God’s people can experience in relationship with him. If you were writing your own psalm, what imagery would you use? 

• Think about a time in your life when you experienced God’s protection. What did that experience teach you about him? About yourself? 

• What things other than God might you be trusting for safety and security? What would it look like for you to confidently place your hope in the Lord? 

• Reread verse 3. How can living in a culture that does not revere God lead to temptation, injustice or fear? 

• Mull over this phrase: “The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous.” How does that phrase comfort you or help you to confidently hope in God, even in uncertain or difficult times? 

• Psalm 125 ends with a prayer for peace. How does pursuing God rather than “crooked ways” lead to peace in your life? 

• Psalm 125 speaks to the stability that God offers even in uncertain times. What steps will you take this week to cultivate this kind of faith and confidence in the Lord even in uncertain or difficult situations?

• Turn your eyes to others around you who may be struggling or walking through a difficult or uncertain time. How can you share this passage as an encouragement?