Psalms of Ascent_Psalm 125
Sections, Scripture References, Quotes:
“Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to mock him” – Luke 14:28-29
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7
The most effective exercises were not those that pushed people to work harder. The ones that got people to the finish line did just the opposite— they took the pressure off. – Jon Acuff
vs/1 – The Stability (Security?) of our Salvation – The Lord is a Firm Foundation
All the persons of faith I know are sinners, doubters, uneven performers. We are secure not because we are sure of ourselves but because we trust that God is sure of us. The opening phrase of the psalm is “those who trust in GOD”—not those who trust in their performance, in their morals, in their righteousness, in their health, in their pastor, in their doctor, in their president, in their economy, in their nation—“those who trust in GOD.” Those who decide that God is for us and will make us whole eternally. -Eugene Peterson
“It is not the strength of your faith but the object of your faith that actually saves you.” – Tim Keller
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” – 1 Peter 2:4-6
v/2-3 – The Surrounding of our salvation – The Lord’s Eternal Protection
Trust God because he protects like the mountains—solid, dependable, certain, secure—which surround Jerusalem. – Josh Moody
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. – Genesis 50:20
v/4-5 – The Swagger of our Salvation – “Relaxed”
“and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son.” – Romans 8:28-29
“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6
Psalm 125 says that is not the way it is at all. Being a Christian is like sitting in the middle of Jerusalem, fortified and secure. First we are established and then entrenched; settled, and then sentinelled (guarded): made like a mount, and then protected as if by mountains. And so the last sentence is “Peace over Israel!” A colloquial, but in the context accurate, translation would be “Relax.” We are secure. God is running the show. – Eugene Peterson