Psalm 125
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Psalm 125[a]
Israel’s Protector
1 A song of ascents.
Those trusting in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
unshakable, forever enduring.(A)
2 As mountains surround Jerusalem,
the Lord surrounds his people
both now and forever.(B)
3 The scepter of the wicked will not prevail
in the land allotted to the just,[b]
Lest the just themselves
turn their hands to evil.
4 Do good, Lord, to the good,
to those who are upright of heart.(C)
5 But those who turn aside to crooked ways
may the Lord send down with the evildoers.(D)
Peace upon Israel!(E)
Footnotes
- Psalm 125 In response to exilic anxieties about the ancient promises of restoration, the Psalm expresses confidence that God will surround the people as the mountains surround Zion (Ps 125:1–2). The just will not be contaminated by the wicked (Ps 125:3). May God judge between the two groups (Ps 125:4–5).
- 125:3 The land allotted to the just: lit., “the lot of the righteous.” The promised land was divided among the tribes of Israel by lot (Nm 26:55; Jos 18). The righteous are the members of the people who are obedient to God. If the domination of the wicked were to continue in the land, even the just would be infected by their evil attitudes.
Psalm 125
New International Version
Psalm 125
A song of ascents.
1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,(A)
which cannot be shaken(B) but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,(C)
so the Lord surrounds(D) his people
both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter(E) of the wicked will not remain(F)
over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
their hands to do evil.(G)
4 Lord, do good(H) to those who are good,
to those who are upright in heart.(I)
5 But those who turn(J) to crooked ways(K)
the Lord will banish(L) with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.(M)
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.