Psalm 125 1

Psalm 125:1 kjv

They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

Psalm 125:1 nkjv

A Song of Ascents. Those who trust in the LORD Are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Psalm 125:1 niv

A song of ascents. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

Psalm 125:1 esv

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

Psalm 125:1 nlt

Those who trust in the LORD are as secure as Mount Zion;
they will not be defeated but will endure forever.

Psalm 125 verses

Psalm 125 1 Meaning

Psalm 125:1 declares that individuals who place their complete trust in the Lord are as secure and stable as Mount Zion, which stands unshakeable and endures perpetually. It signifies that the enduring steadfastness and security of believers come from their unwavering reliance on God's unchanging nature and power, providing an eternal foundation that worldly disturbances cannot dislodge.

Psalm 125 1 Context

Psalm 125 is part of the "Songs of Ascents" (Psalms 120-134), traditionally sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for annual festivals. These Psalms often express the pilgrims' joy, hope, and reliance on God as they approached the holy city, culminating their journey at Mount Zion. In this immediate context, the pilgrims would have physically witnessed the imposing and seemingly impregnable Mount Zion, fortified with walls, as a literal symbol of security. The verse connects this physical reality to a spiritual truth: just as the holy city and its central mount were considered inviolable under God's protection, so too are His faithful people unshakeable when their trust is firmly rooted in Him. Historically, Jerusalem and Mount Zion had indeed withstood many sieges, further cementing its image as a steadfast dwelling, chosen by God.

Psalm 125 1 Word analysis

• Those who trust (Hebrew: בֹּטְחִים, botekhim):

  • This is an active participle, indicating an ongoing state or characteristic: "the ones trusting" or "the trusting ones."
  • בָּטַח (bāṭaḥ) implies a confident leaning upon, a secure resting in, not merely belief, but full reliance and absolute confidence in the reliability and faithfulness of the object of trust.
  • It denotes abandoning self-reliance and transferring dependence entirely to God. This trust is not passive but an active posture of the heart and mind.
  • Significance: It defines the people being spoken of, emphasizing that their identity and stability stem from this fundamental relationship of reliance.

• in the Lord (Hebrew: בַּיהוָה, b'YHWH):

  • YHWH (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, often translated "the LORD" (in all caps) in English Bibles. It signifies God's self-existence, eternal presence, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
  • Placing trust specifically in YHWH highlights that true, enduring security is found only in the one true God, contrasting with reliance on human strength, military power, wealth, or pagan deities.
  • Significance: Specifies the singular, divine source of ultimate security and steadfastness, grounding the believer's stability in God's unchanging nature.

• are like Mount Zion (Hebrew: כְּהַר צִיּוֹן, k'har Tzion):

  • כְּ (kə) means "like" or "as," indicating a simile or metaphor.
  • Mount Zion (Hebrew: צִיּוֹן, Tzion): Originally a Jebusite stronghold, captured by David and made his capital, the City of David (2 Sam 5:6-9). Later, it became synonymous with Jerusalem, and specifically with the Temple Mount, the dwelling place of God's presence.
  • Geographically, Mount Zion, alongside the surrounding hills, was naturally fortified, making Jerusalem notoriously difficult to conquer (Ps 48:2-3).
  • Theological significance: Mount Zion represents God's dwelling place, His presence, and His established reign. Its stability symbolizes God's faithfulness and protective care over His people and His kingdom.

• which cannot be moved (Hebrew: לֹא יִמּוֹט, lo' yimmot):

  • לֹא (lo') is "not," a strong negation.
  • יִמּוֹט (yimmot) comes from the root מוּט (mut), meaning "to totter, shake, waver, be displaced, fall."
  • Significance: Emphasizes absolute and enduring stability. It refers to a permanence that is not susceptible to external forces, whether physical assaults or the turbulent shifts of life. This unshakeable quality is attributed to those whose trust is in YHWH.

• but abides forever (Hebrew: יֵשֵׁב לְעוֹלָם, yeshev l'olam):

  • יֵשֵׁב (yeshev) from יָשַׁב (yashav), "to sit, dwell, abide, remain." Here it implies dwelling securely, remaining in place.
  • לְעוֹלָם (l'olam) means "forever, eternally, always, for eternity."
  • Significance: Underscores the enduring nature of this security. It's not a temporary stability but an everlasting one, mirroring the eternal character of God Himself. It extends beyond a lifetime to an eternal spiritual reality.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Those who trust in the Lord": This phrase highlights the defining characteristic of the blessed. It is not ethnicity, social status, or human power that grants security, but a specific spiritual posture – active reliance on the covenant God. This is a foundational premise.
  • "are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved": This segment presents the core metaphor. The spiritual steadfastness of the truster is directly equated with the physical, revered immovability of Mount Zion. The "cannot be moved" (a physical attribute of Zion) is directly transferred as a spiritual reality to the believer. It emphasizes a firm foundation and security despite life's changes.
  • "but abides forever": This concluding phrase solidifies the permanence of the security. It transcends temporary stability and points to an eternal, enduring state. The 'forever' extends the promise beyond earthly life, assuring an unceasing relationship and safety with God.

Psalm 125 1 Bonus section

This verse, as a "Song of Ascents," would have served as an anthem of encouragement for pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. They would see Mount Zion in the distance and then understand their own journey of faith in light of its steadfastness. The choice of "Mount Zion" as the metaphor carries additional weight; it is the physical location of God's covenant presence. Thus, the stability of those who trust in the Lord is linked directly to their identification with God's dwelling place and His unbreakable covenant. It counters any temptation to place trust in the unstable and fleeting powers of the world or in one's own capabilities, asserting YHWH alone as the ultimate source of enduring peace and safety. The truth proclaimed here is that an active, personal, and complete reliance upon God translates into an unassailable spiritual and eternal position.

Psalm 125 1 Commentary

Psalm 125:1 is a profound statement of divine assurance, conveying that the stability of believers is divinely secured by their complete trust in the Lord. It draws a powerful parallel between the natural impregnability of Mount Zion – the literal dwelling place of God's presence in Jerusalem – and the spiritual unshakeability of His people. The verse is not implying a physical immunity to suffering, but rather an inner spiritual steadfastness and an eternal security that transcends temporal trials and external pressures. The "unmoved" quality of believers is derived not from their own strength or circumstances, but entirely from the unchangeable character of the God in whom they trust. This profound stability is therefore everlasting, assuring believers of God's constant presence and protection, anchoring them eternally even amidst a shifting world.

Examples:

• A believer facing severe financial hardship maintains peace, trusting God's provision.
• Someone suffering through a long illness finds internal fortitude and hope, rooted in God's promises, rather than succumbing to despair.
• In times of global uncertainty, a follower of Christ remains calm and stable, knowing their ultimate security is in God's unchanging nature.