Psalm 125:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 125:1-3

Here are three very precious promises made to the people of God, which, though they are designed to secure the welfare of the church in general, may be applied by particular believers to themselves, as other promises of this nature may. Here is, I. The character of God's people, to whom these promises belong. Many call themselves God's people who have no part nor lot in this matter. But those shall have the benefit of them and may take the comfort of them, (1.) Who are righteous (Ps. 125:3),... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 125:4-5

Here is, 1. The prayer the psalmist puts up for the happiness of those that are sincere and constant (Ps. 125:4): Do good, O Lord! unto those that are good. This teaches us to pray for all good people, to make supplication for all saints; and we may pray in faith for them, being assured that those who do well shall certainly be well dealt with. Those that are as they should be shall be as they would be, provided they be upright in heart, that they be really as good as they seem to be. With the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 125:2

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem ,.... There was Mount Zion on the side of the north, and the mount of Olives on the east, and other mountains on the other sides of it; so that it was encompassed with them, and was naturally as well as artificially fortified. Tacitus F11 Hist. l. 5. c. 11. describes Jerusalem as inaccessible, walls and mountains, rocks and towers, surrounding it: and the poet Coerilus F12 Apud Euseb. Praerar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 9. makes mention of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 125:3

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous ,.... Which, according to Kimchi, is Jerusalem; but Aben Ezra interprets it of the Israelites that inherit the land. And, the people of God are no doubt designed; the Lord's justified and chosen ones, his portion, and the lot of his inheritance; and all that belong unto them, their persons, families, estates, and good name: in all which they are sometimes oppressed and afflicted by wicked men; who are a rod of correction... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 125:4

Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good ,.... That are made so by the Spirit and grace of God; for none are naturally good, but evil; only such who are regenerated and made new creatures, who have a good work of grace begun in them; who have the good Spirit of God, and his good graces, and the good word of God in them, and are filled with all goodness; and which is known by the good fruits which they bear, or the good works done by them. For these the psalmist prays the Lord would do good... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:2

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem - Jerusalem, according to Sandys, was situated on a rocky mountain every way to be ascended, except a little on the north, with steep ascents and deep valleys, naturally fortified. It is surrounded with other mountains, at no great distance, as if placed in the midst of an amphitheatre; for on the east is Mount Olivet, separated from the city by the valley of Jehoshaphat, which also encompasses a part of the north; on the south, the mountain of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:3

For the rod of the worked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous - Rod, here. may be taken for persecution, or for rule; and then it may be thus interpreted: "The wicked shall not be permitted to persecute always, nor to have a permanent rule." In our liturgic version this clause is thus rendered: "The rod of the ungodly cometh not into the lot of the righteous." "This," said one of our forefathers, "is neither truth nor scripture. First, it is not truth; for the rod of the wicked doth... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:4

Do good, O Lord, unto those that be good - Let the upright ever find thee his sure defense! Increase the goodness which thou hast already bestowed upon them; and let all who are upright in heart find thee to be their stay and their support! read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:3

Verse 3 3.For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the just. This is, as it were, a correction of the preceding sentence. The Psalmist had said that the hand of God was extended on all sides to defend his Church. But as we are disposed to draw the divine promises to our own advantage, in the way of interpreting them as securing our exemption from all trouble, we are here warned that the guardianship of God does not secure us from being sometimes exercised with the cross and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 125:4

Verse 4 4.Do good, O Jehovah to the good. The Prophet has already promised to all the faithful the seasonable help of God; but still he has recourse to prayer, and that not without cause; for although faith may sustain us, yet, as our carnal sense and reason are wavering, we ought to mingle prayers for our confirmation. Let us then follow this rule of the Prophet, who, having exhorted all the faithful to cherish confidence, teaches them at the same time, that instead of sitting in listless... read more

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