# 46 2021 Dev. Psalm 125:4. Do Good! Read all of Psalm 125 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Psalm 125:4 “Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.”
Intro. Ps. 120-137 is a series of Psalms that include 15 “songs of ascent.” Songs of ascent were sung at the temple by the Priests walking up the 15 steps entering the sanctuary, also sung by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem for the three feasts required, Pentecost, Passover and Tabernacles, as well as during the return from Babylon back to Jerusalem.
Psalm 125 is a liturgical praise song of ascent praising God for His care in the past, in the day, and into eternity. Mount Zion is a physical mountain. The name may have been used for the Jebusite stronghold in the city of Salam (Melchizedek Gen. 14) that became Jerusalem when David made it it his city. The name Zion depicted three different locations in Jerusalem in the past, but today, Mount Zion means the Western mount, the site of Solomon’s temple.
Vs.1-2 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion…” While only the retaining wall is preserved from Solomon’s Temple, Mount Zion is a spiritual reference to God Most High. According to Melchizedek: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” Hence, “which cannot be shaken but endures forever”. We are surrounded by the Mountain’s of Zion so to speak.We are safe, fully protected today and forever
V.3 “The scepter (rule) of the wicked will not remain…” Who are the wicked? Well, liars, thieves, murderers, adulterers, some of which are leaders, but wickedness is subtler today; miss information, ignoring the negative effect of poor decisions, breaking promises, denying justice, bringing false witness, secret agendas, and collusion with the enemy. That kind of rule must not remain, “for the righteous might use their hands to do evil.” That is what we are seeing right now, murders are out of control, thieves are immediately released only to do it again and again, people, normally law abiding are breaking the law. Evil rulers and evil rules brings evil upon the land.
Vs.4-5 is an appeal to God Almighty; “Lord, do good to those who are good”.Many people want to do good, are they good? Not necessarily, it depends on the motivation; seeking praise, recognition, or tax breaks may not be good. The Psalmist qualifies it, “to those who are upright in heart”, whose hearts are with God, with Jesus.
Verse 5 is revealing; the psalmist is talking about those formerly righteous. But that only happens with willful disregard for God’s law, some of which are the righteous laws of the land (Rm. 13) and of course, if there is no repentance. We end with a prayer, Lord may your peace be upon us and upon our land, amen!
© cgvanwyk, all rights reserve
Heavenhigh 