The big picture
Psalms 125 opens in verse 1 with “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 3 with “For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the…”, and closes in verse 5 with “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, good, iniquity, righteous, round. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 5Psalms 125:1-5
1–5: They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be…
Psalms 125:1–5 opens with “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for…” and reaches “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, good, iniquity.
Context that brings the passage to life
“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Psalms 125:1-5
King James Version1They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
4Do good, O LORD , unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 125:1 begins with “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 125:3 forms a natural hinge: “For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.”
The final note
Psalms 125:5 leaves the reader with “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, good, iniquity, righteous, round, abideth help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- lest
- so that something does not happen
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.