Psalm 125: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Psalm 125 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Those who trust in Yahweh are compared to Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and remains forever (vv. 1-2). Just as mountains surround Jerusalem, Yahweh surrounds His people now and forever. The scepter of wickedness will not prevail over the righteous, ensuring they do not resort to evil actions (vv. 3-4). Yahweh will do good to those who are good and upright in heart. However, those who turn to crooked ways will be removed along with the workers of iniquity (v. 5).

Key verse

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more.”
Psalms 125:2 (WEB)

Outline

Psalm 125:1–2 Trust and Security in God
Psalm 125:3–4 The Fate of the Righteous and Wicked
Psalm 125:5 A Prayer for Israel's Peace

Discussion questions

In v1, what metaphor is used to describe those who trust in Yahweh?
What does v2 compare Yahweh's protection to, in relation to Jerusalem?
In v3, what does the phrase 'scepter of wickedness' suggest about the influence of evil?
In v5, what implications does the contrast between the 'crooked ways' and the 'workers of iniquity' raise?
When have you felt surrounded by support like 'the mountains' in v2?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Psalm 125: Proverbs 3, Jeremiah 17, Matthew 16.

Before next time: read Psalm 126.