¹Those who trust in the Lord are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever. ²As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.

This short psalm expresses confidence in the Lord and asks for help; it is a psalm of both trust and lament. It is in the tradition of wisdom literature, teaching about the benefits of trusting the Lord. The inscription indicates it is one of the Psalms of Ascents. And like the other psalms in this series, it expresses concerns and truths without providing a specific historical or biographical context. Thus, it has a widespread application and value for its readers.

The similarities between this psalm and others should neither surprise us nor bore us. We should not dismiss it as a run-of-the-mill liturgical recitation. Consider that God’s creation showcases many subtle varieties within each of the species He’s created, and He paints His handiwork with subtly different shades within the color spectrum. In the same way, in these very similar Psalms there are subtly different shades and nuances of meaning.

Nor should we allow these similarities to obscure from us the infinite ways there are to express our thoughts and feelings to God. He gave a stamp of delight on His incredibly diverse creation by accepting the praise of the Seraphim: “The whole earth is full of His glory” (Isa. 6:3b). He likewise accepts many expressions of worship from us, His image-bearers. The unending variety and nuances in our adoration, laments, praise, and worship do not weary Him, but rather bring Him great pleasure.

The first three verses of this psalm are similar to some of the other wisdom psalms, such as Psalm 1, which speaks of the benefits to a person devoted to the Law of God. There is strength and security for those who “trust in the Lord.” They are compared to Mount Zion, the spiritual name corresponding to the physical-geographical city of Jerusalem. While Jerusalem was situated on a high mountain, providing a tactical advantage against invaders, it was also surrounded by taller mountains that added to its defensive security. In the same way, God supports us, raises us up above our enemies, and surrounds us with His protection.

From a military perspective, Jerusalem’s situation provided excellent security for God’s people. But their identity in belonging to the spiritual Mount Zion anchored them in the higher safekeeping of the Lord God. While the earthly positioning provided an effective physical defense for the nation of Israel for a time, the individual who trusts in the Lord “cannot be moved but abides forever” in a spiritual sense. God may allow Israel as a nation to fall in defeat when they fail to trust the Lord, but individuals can still maintain their trust in Him and be assured of the Lord’s protection.

Yet, there is a promise that remains certain for the nation of Israel here: “The Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” (vs. 2). Generations of Israelites may falter, but God’s overall plan for His people is secure. It is not just Israel’s physical existence in the land of Canaan that is in view here, but the righteousness of God. Historically, God’s people have failed repeatedly in their spiritual walk before the Lord, just as believers today often fail the Lord—but God’s ultimate rulership remains in force, symbolized in verse 3 by a scepter of the king. The promise here is that “the scepter of wickedness will not rest upon the land of the righteous.” For Israel, even when they suffered defeat, God was still ruling over them, taking note of sin and evil and promising retribution against those who fought against them. As believers today, while we recognize that wickedness sometimes reigns in our world, we embrace the righteousness authority of God that will one day bring perfect justice. Evil will not ultimately be triumphant.

The psalm now turns to prayer with its implied lament, revealing the ongoing concern in all generations among the people of God, both in ancient Israel and for believers in the church today. While the ultimate benefit of living righteously is promised for the future, believers desire some measure of it now:

Do good, O Lord, to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts. But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord will lead them away with the doers of iniquity. Peace be upon Israel. (Ps. 125:4-5)

Our hearts rejoice when we see the benefits of righteousness manifested in tangible ways. The Hebrew word for “good” (tov) carries the sense of well-being, pleasantness, or being glad. Its close association here with the name Yahweh (“Lord,” His covenant name) leads us to see the connection between His goodness and His covenant with His people; His love for them and His goodness toward them is based on His commitment to His promises. When His people act in ways described as “good,” they reflect the good that God has already shown them. The psalmist is asking God to continue in the goodness which He is already committed to doing. When His people do good, the goodness that began with God comes full circle back to Him in a reciprocity and unity between God and His image bearers.

The ultimate benefit of this covenant relationship for Israel is peace in the fullest sense (Heb: shalom). This psalm ends by proclaiming that those who trust in the Lord can enjoy a life marked by goodness and peace. While today, we may have trouble and tribulations, our faith is perfected like gold in a refiner’s fire, and we have the capacity to experience a peace that passes understanding. This peace enables us to continue living righteously and doing good in the world. We don’t give in to bitterness and complaints or walk away from the Lord. And as we continue to trust in Him, we continue to enjoy his peace.

Lord, my trials are sometimes difficult, and I often fail to fully trust you. But You are always faithful, and in You is my peace and the empowerment to do good for others. Thank You for refining my faith in the smelting furnace of difficulties so that You would be glorified in me.