Psalm 125

This Psalm, while speaking of another means of God's help for the pilgrim, has a rather interesting perspective.  For the 2nd time in the Pilgrim Songs the mountains around Jerusalem are mentioned.  But unlike Ps. 121 where the imposing hills represented the difficulties awaiting the Psalmist as he travels to Jerusalem, here they illustrate God's provision of a refuge for His people.  The same mountains that intimidate those who wish to approach Jerusalem provide a refuge for those already in Jerusalem.  So perhaps if you are in a difficult time you might consider your perspective.  In this Psalm you will see God's help as He surrounds you with His strong arms.

Notice that in the 5 verses of this short Psalm the source of the pilgrim's protection is mentioned four times: it is the LORD, Yahweh.  This is the covenant name of God which signifies His faithfulness to Israel.  Thus His role as refuge is based solely on the faith of the pilgrim (v1).  It is for those who trust in the Lord, not those who seek to work for or earn or merit this protection. 

In what sense is God our refuge?.  It is not that He shields us from troubles, or does He always work a miracle to get us out of trouble.  What the Psalm says is that we are like Jerusalem in two ways: we cannot be shaken and we are surrounded by mountains.  Jerusalem is not dwarfed by mountains; only Olivette is higher.  But the mountains are formidable to approach and the resulting ravines create sheer cliffs for any army seeking to attack Jerusalem.

Thus we are told first that the Lord surrounds His people (v2). Ps. 34:7 reiterates this: The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him.  The story in 2 Kings 6:8-17 illustrates this.  The eyes of Elisha's servant were opened to see the army of the Lord surrounding the city.

Second we are told that the Lord will limit evil (v3).  God has certainly allowed evil in His creation; but He will always keep His people from being in a situation where they must reach out their hands to iniquity.  This reminds us of 1 Cor. 10:13 again:

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

The pilgrim's need is to trust the Lord.  He will be his Refuge!

There are two more matters to see in this Psalm concerning God as our refuge.  Did you notice the "forever" theme in vs.1-2?  Those who trust in the Lord abide forever because the Lord surrounds His people forever.

This "perseverance" of those who trust God is, again, a matter of faith in what God does, not what the pilgrim does.  Jesus prayed that we would be kept forever (John 17:11,15,21,23).  It is seen in the fact that He gives eternal life to all who believe (John 10:27-29).  Perseverance is proven by those questions in Rom. 8:31-39 that we spoke of a few days ago.  It is evidenced in the imperishable seed, the gospel, which saves the believer (1 Peter 1:18-25).  In all that we are saying we agree with this Psalm: the believer's forever life is based in the Creator's forever refuge!

Finally we must recognize how it is that the pilgrim experiences this protection from the Creator.  The last 2 verses contrast those with upright hearts with those who turn aside to crooked ways.  Placing this alongside the call to faith in v1 leads one to recognize that having God as a refuge does not mean one is experiencing that help from God.  Remember King David's experience.  God was his refuge.  But when he sinned with Bathsheba he took himself out of that refuge and then all manner of terrible things happened to David and his family.

1.             The refuge is the word of God.

2 Samuel 22:31: As for God, His way is perfect;

     The word of the Lord is proven;

     He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

God's word bears the same qualities as God Himself.  Since He is faithful, so is His word.  Since He is eternal, so is His word.  Since He is all-wise, so is His word.  The point is that God will be our refuge; but if we are living outside His word we're living outside His protection and thus we will not experience  that protection.

2.             We must be in the refuge.

Ps. 2:12 says "Blessed are those who put their trust in Him." 

By faith in Jesus Christ you enter that refuge: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

3.             We must remain in the refuge. 

Ps 73:28 But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.

By drawing near to God daily we stay in the refuge. 

Be blessed today; find refuge in God.