Catholic Commentary on Psalm 125

"Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever." (Psalm 125:1)

Unshakeable

Psalm 125 opens with a declaration that is at once geographical and theological: Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. The physical stability of the great mountains around Jerusalem becomes the image of God's protective presence around those who belong to him. The pilgrim standing in Jerusalem and looking out at the encircling hills sees a visual sermon about divine protection.

The psalm also addresses the social and moral environment of the people of God: the sceptre of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. The concern is for the moral corruption that comes from prolonged exposure to unjust power structures. The Catechism addresses this concern under the heading of social sin: environments of injustice not only harm those who suffer them directly but gradually corrupt the moral sensibility of those who live within them (CCC 1869). The prayer of the psalm is for an environment in which righteousness can be lived without being constantly threatened. Peace be on Israel.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. Not like Mount Zion when they feel like it, or when circumstances favour it. Like Mount Zion: always, unchangeably, regardless of what moves around them. Is that the quality of your trust? Could someone observe your life and say: that person cannot be shaken?

Prayer

Lord God, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, surround your people with your presence. Make us like Mount Zion, unshakeable in trust and unbroken in peace. Let no sceptre of wickedness remain over us, and grant your peace to Israel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

125
The LORD Surrounds His People
A song of ascents.
 
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion.
It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds His people,
both now and forevermore.
 
3 For the scepter of the wicked will not rest
upon the land allotted to the righteous,
so that the righteous will not put forth
their hands to injustice.
 
4 Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,
and to the upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways
the LORD will banish with the evildoers.
 
Peace be upon Israel.

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