Psa 125:5 | KingComments | STEP | After the righteous has experienced and expressed his trust in the LORD’s protection ( ), he makes intercession for others, indeed for all the people ( ). From the trust that the scepter of wickedness is temporary, the prayer for the blessing of the covenant follows. The scepter of wickedness is an impediment to the blessing of the covenant. The righteous asks the LORD to do good “to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts”. He is praying here for all the righteous. They have life from God and are therefore good and upright in their heart. Therefore, God will do good to them. Opposed to those who are good and upright are “those who turn aside to their crooked ways” ( ; cf. ). These are the faithless in Israel, the ungodly multitude, those who forsake the covenant with the LORD, depart from the LORD’s straight way, and go crooked ways. The LORD “will lead them away”, along “with the doers of iniquity”, which are the wicked oppressors, the hostile nations around God’s people. When justice has thus prevailed, the prayer that “peace be upon Israel” is answered. Peace is desired here not only for Jerusalem as in a previous Song of Ascents ( ), but for the whole people (cf. ), the twelve tribes, that is, the true Israel, the Israel of God (cf. ). Peace upon Israel is possible only when Christ, the King of peace, reigns. The latter will happen when all enemies are set as a footstool for His feet ( ).

‏ Psalms 125:5

Peace Be Upon Israel

After the righteous has experienced and expressed his trust in the LORD’s protection (Psa 125:1-3), he makes intercession for others, indeed for all the people (Psa 125:4). From the trust that the scepter of wickedness is temporary, the prayer for the blessing of the covenant follows. The scepter of wickedness is an impediment to the blessing of the covenant.

The righteous asks the LORD to do good “to those who are good and to those who are upright in their hearts”. He is praying here for all the righteous. They have life from God and are therefore good and upright in their heart. Therefore, God will do good to them.

Opposed to those who are good and upright are “those who turn aside to their crooked ways” (Psa 125:5; cf. Jdg 5:6). These are the faithless in Israel, the ungodly multitude, those who forsake the covenant with the LORD, depart from the LORD’s straight way, and go crooked ways. The LORD “will lead them away”, along “with the doers of iniquity”, which are the wicked oppressors, the hostile nations around God’s people.

When justice has thus prevailed, the prayer that “peace be upon Israel” is answered. Peace is desired here not only for Jerusalem as in a previous Song of Ascents (Psa 122:6-8), but for the whole people (cf. Rom 11:26), the twelve tribes, that is, the true Israel, the Israel of God (cf. Gal 6:16). Peace upon Israel is possible only when Christ, the King of peace, reigns. The latter will happen when all enemies are set as a footstool for His feet (Psa 110:1-2).