Psalms 125:1

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 125:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
Psalms 125:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 125

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1They that trust in Jehovah Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They that trust in the Lord [shall be] as Mount Zion, etc.] Who trust not in themselves, and in their own hearts; nor in anything of theirs, their strength or wisdom, riches or righteousness; nor in any creature whatever, in the mightiest or best of men; but in the Lord; in God, as the God of nature and providence, for all temporal mercies; and in him, as the God of grace, for all spiritual and eternal ones; who should be trusted in at all times, whether of affliction, temptation, or darkness; for which there is abundant reason. The Targum is, “the righteous that trust in the Word of the Lord;” in Christ the essential Word, who is trusted in by all that know him, and that know there is…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The theme of this Psalm, that human enterprises only succeed by the divine blessing, was probably associated with the building of the temple by Solomon, its author. It may have been adopted in this view, as suited to this series especially, as appropriately expressing the sentiments of God's worshippers in relation to the erection of the second temple. (Psa 127:1-5) suggest the view of the theme given.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They that trust in the Lord - His people; his friends. It is, and has been always, a characteristic of the people of God that they trust or confide in him. Shall be as mount Zion - The mountain which David fortified, and on which the city was at first built, 2 Samuel 5:6-9. The name Zion became also the name by which the entire city was known. Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever - A mountain is an emblem of firmness and stability; and it is natural to speak of it as that which could not be removed. There is something more than this, however, intended here, as there is some ground of comparison especially in regard to Mount Zion. This must have been either the idea that Zion was…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“Ps 125 The psalmist expresses the community’s confidence in the Lord’s protection (125:1-2) and prays for peace (125:3-5).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that trust: Psa 27:1, Psa 25:2, Psa 25:8, Psa 34:22, Psa 62:2, Psa 62:6, Psa 118:8, Psa 118:9, Psa 147:11; Ch1 5:20; Pro 3:5, Pro 3:6; Jer 17:7, Jer 17:8; Eph 1:12, Eph 1:13; Pe1 1:21 be as mount: Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14; Isa 12:6, Isa 14:32, Isa 51:8, Isa 51:11, Isa 51:16, Isa 52:1, Isa 52:7, Isa 52:8; Oba 1:21; Mic 4:2; Zac 1:14, Zac 1:17; Rev 14:1 but abideth: Mat 16:16-18 Psalms 125:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The stedfastness which those who trust in Jahve prove in the midst of every kind of temptation and assault is likened to Mount Zion, because the God to whom they believingly cling is He who sits enthroned on Zion. The future ישׁב signifies: He sits and will sit, that is to say, He continues to sit, cf. Psa 9:8; Psa 122:5. Older expositors are of opinion that the heavenly Zion must be understood on account of the Chaldaean and the Roman catastrophes; but these, in fact, only came upon the buildings on the mountain, not upon the mountain itself, which in itself and according to its appointed destiny (vid., Mic 3:12; Mic 4:1) remained unshaken. in Psa 125:2 also it is none other than the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification