Psalm 124–125 (August 25, 2025)
- Brian Lee
- Aug 25
- 4 min read
Our Help Is in the Name of the Lord
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
let Israel now say—
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
when people rose up against us,
3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
4 then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
5 then over us would have gone
the raging waters.
6 Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth!
7 We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped!
8 Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The Lord Surrounds His People
A Song of Ascents.
125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people,
from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
on the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous stretch out
their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
and to those who are upright in their hearts!
5 But those who turn aside to their crooked ways
the Lord will lead away with evildoers!
Peace be upon Israel!
Summary
Psalm 124 is a communal song of thanksgiving, acknowledging that if the LORD had not been on Israel’s side, they would have been swallowed alive by their enemies. Instead, God delivered His people like a bird escaping a snare, declaring, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (124:8).
Psalm 125 follows with a declaration of trust. Those who trust in the LORD are compared to Mount Zion—unshakable and enduring. God surrounds His people like the mountains around Jerusalem. The psalmist prays, “Do good, O LORD, to those who are good,” in contrast to the fate of the upright with those who turn aside to crooked ways.
Together, these two psalms weave gratitude for past deliverance with confidence in present and future security. They remind us that God’s help is not only a past act of rescue but an ongoing covenantal protection.
Reflections
God is our fortress, immovable and surrounding His people.
“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever” (125:1).
Just as the mountains encircle Jerusalem, the LORD surrounds His people with steadfast protection. In Christ, we are rooted in an unshakable kingdom that cannot be shaken.
God is our deliverer who rescues us from destruction.
2 if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us. 3 then they would have swallowed us up alive,
Israel confesses their utter dependence on God’s intervention. The imagery of raging waters and predatory beasts underlines how total the destruction would have been without God. In Christ, we too confess that apart from His saving work, sin and death would consume us. He is our help, our deliverer, and our covenant-keeping God.
God separates the righteous from the wicked.
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous” (125:3).
God promises that evil will not ultimately prevail over His people. The psalmist prays that God would do good to the upright but judge those who turn aside. This reflects the gospel truth. In Christ, the righteous are clothed in His righteousness. The final peace (“shalom upon Israel”) points us forward to the consummate peace of God’s kingdom, secured through Christ’s cross and resurrection.
Application
In these psalms, gratitude and trust flow together. We remember what God has done for us. God has rescued us from sin and death, and we trust in what He continues to do. He continues to surround us with His eternal presence.
When fears rise or enemies threaten, we can confess, "Our help is in the name of the LORD."
When life feels unstable, we look to Him who makes us as secure as Mount Zion. Our calling is to live as people marked by gratitude and trust, resisting the crooked paths of the world and walking uprightly before the Lord.
Prayer
Father, we thank you that our help is in your name. You are the Maker of heaven and earth. You have rescued us from the snare of sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord. Please help us to stand firm like Mount Zion, unshakable because we belong to you. Surround us with your presence as the mountains surround Jerusalem, and keep us from wandering onto crooked paths. Do good to us, O Lord, and lead us in the way of peace. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
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