Psalm 121
Psa 121:1-8. God's guardian care of His people celebrated
1. I will lift up mine eyes--expresses desire (compare [Psa 25:1]), mingled with expectation. The last clause, read as a question, is answered,
2. by avowing God to be the helper, of whose ability His creative power is a pledge ([Psa 115:15]), to which,
3-4. His sleepless vigilance is added.
to be moved--(Compare [Psa 38:16]; ).
5. upon thy right hand--a protector's place ([Psa 109:31]; ).
6-8. God keeps His people at all times and in all perils.
nor the moon by night--poetically represents the dangers of the night, over which the moon presides ([Ge 1:16]).
Psalm 122
Psa 122:1-9. This Psalm might well express the sacred joy of the pilgrims on entering the holy city, where praise, as the religious as well as civil metropolis, is celebrated, and for whose prosperity, as representing the Church, prayer is offered
1-2. Our feet shall stand--literally, "are standing."
3-5. compact together--all parts united, as in David's time.
6-7. Let peace--including prosperity, everywhere prevail.
8-9. In the welfare of the city, as its civil, and especially the religious relations, was involved that of Israel.
now--as in [Psa 115:2].
Psalm 123
Psa 123:1-4. An earnest and expecting prayer for divine aid in distress
1. (Compare [Psa 121:1]).
thou that dwellest--literally, "sittest as enthroned" (compare [Psa 2:4]; 113:4, 5).
2. Deference, submission, and trust, are all expressed by the figure. In the East, servants in attending on their masters are almost wholly directed by signs, which require the closest observance of the hands of the latter. The servants of God should look (1) to His directing hand, to appoint them their work; (2) to His supplying hand ([Psa 104:28]), to give them their portion in due season; (3) to His protecting hand, to right them when wronged; (4) to His correcting hand ([Is 9:13]; [1Pe 5:6]; compare [Ge 16:6]); () to His rewarding hand.
3. contempt--was that of the heathen, and, perhaps, Samaritans ([Ne 1:3]; 2:19).
4. of those that are at ease--self-complacently, disregarding God's law, and despising His people.
Psalm 124
Psa 124:1-8. The writer, for the Church, praises God for past, and expresses trust for future, deliverance from foes
1-2. on our side--for us ([Psa 56:9]).
now--or, "oh! let Israel"
3. Then--that is, the time of our danger.
quick--literally, "living" ([Nu 16:32], ), description of ferocity.
4-5. (Compare [Psa 18:4], ).
6-7. The figure is changed to that of a rapacious wild beast ([Psa 3:7]), and then of a fowler ([Psa 91:3]), and complete escape is denoted by breaking the net.
8. (Compare [Psa 121:2]).
name--in the usual sense ([Psa 5:11]; ). He thus places over against the great danger the omnipotent God, and drowns, as it were in an anthem, the wickedness of the whole world and of hell, just as a great fire consumes a little drop of water [Luther].
Psalm 125
Psa 125:1-5. God honors the confidence of His people, by protection and deliverance, and leaves hypocrites to the doom of the wicked
1-2. Mount Zion--as an emblem of permanence, and locality of Jerusalem as one of security, represent the firm and protected condition of God's people (compare [Psa 46:5]), supported not only by Providence, but by covenant promise. Even the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but God's kindness shall not depart, nor His covenant of peace be removed ([Is 54:10]).
They that trust--are "His people," ([Psa 125:2]).
3. Though God may leave them for a time under the "rod," or power ([Psa 2:9]), and oppression of the wicked for a time, as a chastisement, He will not suffer them to be tempted so as to fall into sin ([1Co 10:13]). The wicked shall only prove a correcting rod to them, not a destroying sword; even this rod shall not remain ("rest") on them, lest they be tempted to despair and apostasy ([Psa 73:13], ). God may even try His people to the uttermost: when nothing is before our eyes but pure despair, then He delivers us and gives life in death, and makes us blessed in the curse ([2Co 1:8], ) [Luther].
the lot--the possession, literally, "Canaan," spiritually, the heavenly inheritance of holiness and bliss which is appointed to the righteous. Sin's dominion shall not permanently come between the believer and his inheritance.
4. (Compare [Psa 7:10]; ).
5. Those who turn aside (under temptation) permanently show that they are hypocrites, and their lot or portion shall be with the wicked ([Psa 28:3]).
crooked ways--(Compare [De 9:16]; Mal [2:8, 9]).
their--is emphatic; the "crooked ways" proceed from their own hearts. The true Israel is here distinguished from the false. Scripture everywhere opposes the Jewish delusion that mere outward descent would save ([Ro 2:28], 29; , ; [Ga 6:16]). The byways of sin from the way of life.