Psalm 125 "Finding Security: Yahweh Surrounds His People"

This song seems to be designed for those times in life when we feel most vulnerable, at risk and insecure.  In those times we need a safe place.  The opening stanza of the psalm reminds us where we may turn to find such a place: "Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken, but endures forever".  The psalm seems to have been written at a time when all was not right in Israel.  Verse 3 talks about 'the scepter of the wicked' which would seem to describe a foreign evil power ruling over Israel, even though they are the 'chosen people' living in the 'land of promise'.  We may liken this scenario to our day when we live in this world as followers of Jesus who have been completely cleansed by the blood of Jesus and yet we live in a world where evil still dominates in so many ways.  We find hope in the expression of this psalm that evil is temporary (verse 3 - 'the scepter will not remain over the land') and that evil will be ultimately judged by God completely (verses 4-5).  Meanwhile there is great security in the fact that 'as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.' (verse 2).  Even in times of uncertainty and fear, there is an absolutely safe place - we may put our trust completely in Yahweh!  The result?  'Peace be on Israel' (verse 5b).  This is the blessing of shalom that comes to us even when all is not right in our world!  It only comes as we fully put our trust in Yahweh.