Psalm 125 – Unshakeable
Psalm 125 – unshakeable, begins with the statement that those who trust in the Lord cannot be shaken – or in other translations, unshakeable. What does it mean to be unshakeable?
Psalm 125
In Psalm 125, another song of ascents, the psalmist compares those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion.
“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” (1)
One can imagine pilgrims coming into Jerusalem and marveling at this mountain. “The pilgrim who came from afar was impressed with the stature and standing of Mount Zion, the prominent hill upon which Jerusalem was established. The one who believes and trusts in the LORD is promised the same security, and he or she abides forever. Our place in His love, His new life, and His gracious purpose lasts forever and cannot be moved.” Psalm 125 – Enduring Word
The writer then goes on to compare God to the mountains around Jerusalem.
“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” (2)
Mountains signify God’s presence and protection. “God promised not only to be present with His people, but also to be all around them. He would surround them, so that nothing can get to them unless it first pass through Him.” Psalm 125 – Enduring Word
The Wicked and the Good
The writer then speaks about the wicked and the righteous:
“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.” (3)
“God knows that the rule of the wicked could provoke even the godly to sin through rebellion or frustration. This is one of the reasons why God promised not to allow the wicked to rule on the land allotted to the righteous.” Psalm 125 – Enduring Word
The psalmist goes on to differentiate between the wicked and the good. God blesses the good and banishes the wicked.
“Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.
But those who turn to crooked ways the Lord will banish with the evildoers.
Peace be on Israel.” (4-5)
Psalm 125 ends with a prayer pronouncing shalom/peace upon Israel. “We remember that Jerusalem means ‘peace’ (shalom). Thus, we are told, we shall not only be like Salem but shall have salem too.” (Boice) Psalm 125 – Enduring Word
Unshakeable
A belief or opinion is defined as unshakeable when it is strongly felt and unable to be changed: unable to be disputed or questioned: not possible to weaken or get rid of. But is that the same as stubbornly holding on to a belief or opinion regardless of other factors that might call for a change in opinion?
Is unshakeable stubbornly unchanging or is it grace under pressure? Is it remaining calm when all around you are panicking?
Some on either side, the right or the left, are unshakeable in their belief that they are right. They listen only to those who support what they already believe and refuse to acknowledge that there might be other valid viewpoints.
But those who trust in the Lord, remain unswayed by every passing conspiracy theory or messages meant to excite emotional reactions rather than thought. Remaining peaceful in the face of adversity, they recognize that this, too, shall pass. That, in the words of Julian of Norwich, all shall be well.
Psalm 125 – Unshakeable
Those who trust in the Lord are unshakeable, like a mountain. They know that their God loves and protects them. They build their home on the firm foundation of God’s love, not shifting sands. Their belief that their God loves and protects them makes them unshakeable.
Are you unshakeable, or do you sway with every passing wind?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 125: Surrounded by God’s Love – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
(Please note – in order to help ensure you receive email with link to new book, please add my email, patricia@patriciamrobertson.com to your contact list. Some servers are quick to send newsletters to spam or other boxes.)
Leave a Reply