September 1, 2023 — Psalm 125

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous might not stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts. But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the LORD will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel!”

“Those who trust in the LORD…abide forever.” We should notice by now that these Psalms, these Psalms of Ascent are psalms that build upon each other. That’s another reason why we can call them psalms of ascent. Psalm 125 takes the hills of Psalm 121 (I lift my eyes upon the hills) and the holy city of Psalm 122 (Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem) and combines them into a new image showing G-d’s people are as safe and secure as Mount Zion (Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion).

In the world in which we live we continue to see an escalation of violence against each other, an increase of evil, and the continual need for justice and hope to win the day. If we allow these issues like violence and injustice to grow unheeded they obviously will have dire consequences in the whole society. When those who live according to unrighteousness increase within our neighborhoods and cities, it has the effect of tempting the righteous to act accordingly.  It dilutes the moral and spiritual strength of everyone, especially the righteous.

In the U.S. we live in a time where corruption and dishonesty seem pervasive and they threaten the very foundation of our society and its institutions.  We would do well to listen to the Psalm’s prayer: Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.

Let us Pray:

Almighty God, surround your people with your presence. Let your justice rule, that we may not put our hands to evil nor turn aside to crooked ways, but that we may stand fast in your word and pursue the ways of peace; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave