Psalm 125:5 NLT,NIV,ESV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 125:5

God is against the willful. The Targum reads," And those that turn after their depravity, he shall bring them into Gehenna as their portion, with the workers of falsehood." Literally, the first sentence of the verse reads, "bend their crooked paths," i . e . so turn their paths aside as to make them crooked ( 5:6 ). "The expression does not necessarily denote a going over to heathenism; it would describe the conduct of those who, in the time of Jeremiah, made common cause with the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 125:5

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways - The wicked. Those who leave the right or straight path, and wander in forbidden ways. The word here rendered “crooked ways” occurs nowhere else except in Judges 5:6, where it is rendered “by-ways,” meaning unfrequented paths or roads; narrow and crooked paths, remote from the highways, or the ways commonly traversed. Hence, the word means also paths of sin - as deviations from the straight road which man should travel.The Lord shall lead them... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 125:4-5

Psalms 125:4-5. Do good unto those that be good As thou hast promised to keep thy people from evil, (Psalms 125:3,) be pleased, also, to vouchsafe unto them those blessings which will be good for them. Deal well with those that are truly good, and reward the fidelity of them that are upright in their hearts Who, notwithstanding the calamities with which they are chastised and tried, still persist in thy ways and preserve their integrity. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 125:1-5

Psalms 125-128 Lessons from JerusalemAs the worshippers journey towards Jerusalem, they recall some of the varied experiences that the city has passed through. They see these as typical of the experiences of God’s people as a whole. Believers are like Jerusalem in that they are completely secure and fully protected (125:1-2). Although Jerusalem sometimes came under the rule of its enemies, God never allowed these enemies to control it for long, in case God’s people lost their devotion to him... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 125:5

iniquity. Hebrew 'ava l. App-44 . read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 125:5

5. Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked ( :-). crooked ways—(Compare Deuteronomy 9:16; Malachi 2:8; Malachi 2:9). their—is emphatic; the "crooked ways" proceed from their own hearts. The true Israel is here distinguished from the false. Scripture everywhere opposes the Jewish delusion that mere outward descent would save (Romans 2:28; Romans 2:29; Romans 9:6; Romans 9:7; Galatians 6:16). The byways... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 125:1-5

Psalms 125The psalmist praised God that believers are secure in their salvation and that God will keep temptation from overwhelming them. However, he cautioned God’s people to follow the Lord faithfully-or lose His blessing because they lived as unbelievers do. This psalm of ascent is a communal song of confidence and a communal lament. [Note: Dahood, 3:214.] read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 125:4-5

2. The choices before God’s people 125:4-5However, even though God’s people are secure, they have a choice concerning how they will live. They can be faithful to the Lord, or depart from Him and live sinful lives. In Psalms 125:4, the psalmist asked God to bless those of His people who do good and remain upright in their attitudes and affections. In Psalms 125:5, he warned that those believers who did not follow Him faithfully would suffer a fate similar to that of the wicked. They would cease... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:1-5

Jehovah is the bulwark of Israel, but evildoers shall perish. Evidently the nation is under foreign rule: cp. Psalms 125:3.2. The mountains] Jerusalem is high, but the hills, such as the Mt. of Olives and the Hill of Evil Counsel, are higher. 3. The rod of the wicked] RV ’the sceptre of wickedness,’ i.e. heathen dominion shall be broken off lest in despair the righteous be tempted to turn aside to sinful practices. 5. Those who hesitate between serving Jehovah and worldliness will be swept away... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 125:5

(5) Turn aside unto their crooked ways.—Or, bend their crooked ways, i.e., pursue evil courses.But peace.—Better, as an innovation on the customary form, peace be in Israel. (See Note on Psalms 122:6, and comp. Psalms 128:6.) read more