Psalm 125:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.

NIV: The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.

NASB: For the scepter of wickedness will not rest upon the land of the righteous, So that the righteous will not extend their hands to do wrong.

CSB: The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice.

NLT: The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.

KJV: For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

NKJV: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.

The Lord told Israel that He redeemed them from Egypt so they would live in a Promised Land (Leviticus 25:38). During the Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 36:17–21), Gentiles from surrounding nations settled in Israel. The people of Israel were plagued with unrighteous fellow Israelites and pagans who intermarried and brought their false beliefs (Exodus 23:33; Deuteronomy 18:9). This resulted in many Israelites being exploited (Nehemiah 5:1–9). This psalm may have been written during that time, and in response to these pressures of culture.

The psalmist assures God's people that this compromising situation will not continue forever. The Lord's power is enough to keep those who follow Him from being corrupted (Psalm 125:1–2; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Domination by ungodly powers will end, one day for Israel and eventually for the entire world (Revelation 20:4).

During Jesus' earthly ministry, similar situations were at play. Israel's religious leaders disobeyed God and engaged in hypocrisy. This led many Jews into sin (Matthew 3:7–10; 7:15–23; 15:1–9; 16:5–12). Paul issues a strong warning against compromising with those who defy the Lord's Word and His will: "bad company ruins good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33). He also warns against the influence of unbelief in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Psalm 125:1–3 reflects on the moral strength of those who trust in the Lord. The psalmist describes them as immovable as Mount Zion (1 Kings 8:1). God's protection will not allow those who honor Him to be tempted beyond their ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). Pressure from pagan oppressors will not last forever.

The psalmist reassures those under pressure from pagan government. Faith in God will keep them secure, like Zion, the mountain at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). He prays for the Lord to honor those who honor God. Those who fall away will suffer the consequences. As a prior song did for Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), this one prays for peace on the nation of Israel.

At times, Israel struggled under the domination of foreign powers. These included eras of Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 26:17–21; Ezra 2:1) as well as post-exile occupation by Greece and Rome. This psalm may have been written in response to some of this history. Fifteen psalms (Psalms 120—134), including this one, were labeled songs "of ascent" and used by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.