Psalm 125

Those who put their trust in the Lord

Read/pray the psalm. (Full text at bottom.)

• The pilgrims continue on their way to worship the LORD on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, in this next Song of Ascents.

• Travel is mostly waiting and tedium. (Interspersed with moments of high stress, or even terror!)

  • So these songs were ways to pass the time, and encourage one another on the holy journey—singing, clapping, and perhaps even walking in step!

  • (I was in the marching band in high school, and whenever we were “away” and walking around, we always walked in step, unconsciously. And if there was music playing anywhere, it was with the left foot on the downbeat, always. Again, unconsciously.)

• But as the pilgrims approach the holy city, they see the mountains surrounding the city first.

  • And here they reverse the usual symbolism, seeing themselves as Zion…

  • … and the LORD as the unshakable, protective mountains surrounding and protecting them.

  

  Calling cadence

So…

• Listen to this version, in worship, and think about what it would be like to walk and clap to its syncopated rhythms, on your journey:

Psalm 125
Qui confidunt

1	Those who put their trust in the Lord shall be like Mount Zion, *
		which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2	The hills stand about Jerusalem *
		even as the Lord stands round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.
3	For the scepter of the ungodly shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, *
		lest the righteous put forth their hand to do wickedness.
4	Do good, O Lord, unto those who are good, *
		unto those who are good and true of heart.
5	As for those who turn aside to their own wicked ways, the Lord shall lead them away with the evildoers; *
		but peace shall be upon Israel.


New Coverdale Psalter