Psalm 125 (124):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Virtue is simple and transparent, while vice is variable, twisted, and convoluted—a truth confirmed by experience. Those who indulge in lies and deception labor intensely, devising various schemes and employing crafty language, necessitating much skill. Conversely, the one who speaks truth requires no toil, worry, or guile, as truth shines forth on its own. Just as unattractive appearances often need layers of covering to hide their flaws, while beauty radiates effortlessly, so too it is with lies and truth, vice and virtue. It is clear, then, that vice itself instigates suffering even before punishment, while virtue yields reward even prior to acknowledgment. Indeed, what could be more unbearable than the torment that arises from sin? Thus, Paul, when he addresses those who degrade their dignity and distort the natural order, suggests that the greatest anguish lies in this very act, even before judgement. ‘Men,’ he states, ‘committing shameful acts with one another and receiving in themselves the due recompense for their error’ (Rom. 1:27), identifying the consequence of sin as their own depravity. ‘Peace be upon Israel!’ concludes the prophet with a prayer. Such are the spirits of the saints: they merge encouragement and counsel with prayer, offering profound assistance to those who listen. Here, ‘peace’ encompasses not only earthly tranquility but a higher form that gives rise to it; he implores that the soul does not turn against itself, avoiding the conflict of passions. This is the peace we should seek, striving toward the blessings promised to us through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Why will those who dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem remain steadfast forever? Because there exists another Jerusalem of which you often hear—it is our mother, the one we long for on our journey, hoping to return to her. Those who dwell in her will indeed stand firm. In contrast, the inhabitants of this earthly Jerusalem were first shaken in spirit and then exiled, ultimately leading them to crucify the very King of the heavenly Jerusalem. They were spiritually distant, having locked their true King outside their city—a fate mirrored as He was crucified outside (John 19:17-18). Thus, He cast them out from the eternal Jerusalem, our Mother in Heaven.

What, then, is this Jerusalem? The Psalm briefly depicts it: Surrounding Jerusalem are mountains (Psalm 123:2). Is it remarkable that our city is encircled by mountains? We understand what mountains signify; they represent the elevations of the earth. Yet distinct are those mountains we cherish—the high mountains, which proclaim truth, whether they are angels, apostles, or prophets. They encircle Jerusalem and form a protective wall around her, and the Scripture frequently references these remarkable mountains. These are the mountains we sing of, as in "I lift my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from?" Our support in this life comes from the Scriptures. The mountains, receiving peace, convey righteousness. What does He say of the mountains? He doesn’t claim they generate peace on their own; rather, they receive peace. The Lord is the source of this peace, so lift your eyes to the mountains from which help will come, for it is the Lord who made heaven and earth. Moreover, the Holy Spirit remarks, "Thou lightest them marvelously from Thy everlasting mountains." It is not the mountains that shine upon them, but rather God illuminates from His eternal heights, sending forth His messengers who preach the Gospel.

To highlight these mountains further, when Scripture speaks of these blessed heights, it rarely fails to mention the Lord alongside them, ensuring our hope rests not in the mountains themselves, but in the Lord who grants them illumination. When He dwells in the mountains—meaning in the saints—He surrounds His people with a spiritual fortress, allowing them to stand firm forever. In contrast, when Scripture refers to corrupt mountains, it omits mentioning the Lord. These wicked mountains represent powerful but deceitful souls. Let it not be thought, dear friends, that heresies arise from insignificant individuals. Great men are often the founders of heresies; their might, however, is matched by their wickedness—mountains that cannot receive peace, only strife from their father, the devil. So, beware of such mountains. For the world will speak of a great hero, or a notable figure like Donatus, Maximian, Photinus, or Arius, all of whom stand as mountains but lead souls to destruction.

Instead, cherish the mountains where the Lord dwells. Those mountains will love you if your hope is not set upon them. Observe the mountains of God; as reflected in another text: "Your righteousness is like the mountains of God," referring to your righteousness, not the righteousness of mountains. Hear, O great apostle, the proclamation: "That I may be found in Him, having not my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ" (Philippians 3:9). Those who considered themselves mountains because of their righteousness, like certain Jews or Pharisees, receive rebuke for failing to comprehend God’s righteousness and striving to establish their own while rejecting the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3). Those who submit to God are exalted; they humble themselves to become valleys, and in their capacity for holiness, they receive abundant peace and nourish the hills around them. Beware, then, of those mountains you admire. If you desire to be favored by the good mountains, do not place your trust even in the good. How great was Paul—can anyone match his stature? Yet he cautioned against misplaced trust, asking, "Was Paul crucified for you?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). Instead, lift your eyes to the mountains, whence your help comes—from the Lord who made heaven and earth; for it is God who provides growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).

Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord likewise surrounds His people now and forever. If the mountains encircle Jerusalem, and the Lord encompasses His people, He binds them together in a bond of love and peace, so that those who hope in the Lord, like Mount Zion, shall remain unshaken forever—from now and into eternity. The Lord will not allow the wicked to rule over the lot of the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands against wrongdoers (Psalm 123:3). Yes, the righteous may face trials currently, and the unrighteous may sometimes dominate them. This occurs when the unrighteous attain earthly honors, often becoming judges or rulers; God permits this for the enrichment of His people, requiring them to be revered according to their positions. Consider this dynamic—perhaps the most immediate power relations are those of master and servant, common in most households, where human beings bear different titles but share the same essence. The Apostle instructs servants to be obedient to their earthly masters, pointing to a greater, spiritual Master who is eternal while these earthly authorities are temporary.

In the midst of life’s journey, as Christians, we should not harbor pride. You came to faith not to despise servitude. By serving others, you serve Christ Himself. The Apostle says, "Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh" (Ephesians 6:5). Christ does not free men from servitude; instead, He redeems the good from the bad. How grateful the wealthy should be to Christ, who brought them into His fold! Thus, if you have a servant who does not believe yet comes to faith, do not instruct them to abandon their master; for while he may be unjust, the faithful person should remain as a testament to righteousness. Christ does not instruct them to forsake their duties. Rather, He says, "Serve him" and affirms this by stating that He Himself served the unjust. If the Lord of heaven and earth served those who rejected Him, we should likewise not hesitate to serve even an unjust master with our utmost dedication.

Understand this principle regarding masters and servants, and similarly, in relation to authorities and rulers—the elevated positions of this world. Sometimes those in power are righteous and honor God, but there are also those who do not. For instance, Julian, the idolatrous emperor, represented an infidel reign, yet Christian soldiers served him. When they followed Christ, they acknowledged the authority from above without forsaking their duty to earthly rulers. If commanded to worship idols, they chose to uphold their loyalty to God; nevertheless, they obeyed orders concerning national affairs. They recognized the distinction between their eternal Master and their temporal master, obeying the latter for the sake of the former.

Will the wicked always dominate the righteous? Certainly not. The rod of the wicked may touch the righteous for a time, but it shall not remain indefinitely. There will come a day when Christ, in His glory, shall gather all nations before Him (Matthew 25:32-33). There, one will find many servants among the chosen and many masters among the condemned. Not every servant is virtuous, nor is every master devoid of righteousness; both good and evil exist among them. Hence, while faithful servants endure under unjust masters, they must remain patient, for the Lord will not permit the wicked to oppress the righteous indefinitely. This restraint is so that the righteous do not turn against the wicked but instead prepare to inherit their eternal promise.

And the Psalmist emphasizes this truth: "Do good, O Lord, with a good and faithful heart" (Psalm 124:4). This reflects those who are right in spirit—those who seek to follow God's will rather than their own. Those desiring to follow God must let Him lead as they follow, seeking His goodness in all circumstances—whether through correction, comfort, or guidance. As the Apostle assures us, "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God" (Romans 8:28).

The psalmist continues, stating, "As for those who have turned away, the Lord will lead them to be gathered with those who commit iniquity" (Psalm 124:5). These are those who live in disobedience and have indulged in present pleasures while disregarding future accountability. Now, we must consider our inheritance, dear brothers and sisters; we are sons and daughters. What will we inherit? Our homeland is called peace. This is what we proclaim and greet one another with, for through Christ, we are gifted righteousness, symbolized by both mountains and hills. He is our peace, having reconciled us and dismantled the dividing wall between us (Ephesians 2:14). As heirs, we shall receive this peace, for those who reject it will find themselves disinherited. True peace belongs to the godly and to those who are true heirs of the promise. Christ, the Son of God, who embodies peace, came to gather His own while separating them from the wicked—those opposed to peace, who attempt to disrupt unity, who cast aside belief in true peace while preaching false reassurances.

They falsely extend greetings of peace to those who remain estranged from the broader understanding of peace, leading to discord among them. For if peace truly resided in their hearts, they would cherish unity rather than division. In this duplicity, they proclaim hollow words and hear empty messages. Therefore, let us speak the truth and listen to truth. Let us embody Israel and receive peace, for Jerusalem signifies peace, we are Israel, and peace comprises the essence over Israel.

However, the Psalmist, filled with trust, proclaims that Israel, predominantly steadfast in faith and hope in God, stands as resolutely as Mount Zion, and thus its adversaries cannot shake it; those who truly belong to Jerusalem and are genuine citizens of God's kingdom will never be moved. Jerusalem, strengthened both by divine providence and human endeavor, symbolizes the unwavering spirit of a nation sustained by God. The phrase "dwelling in Jerusalem" clearly aligns with “those who hope in the Lord,” signifying a spiritual rather than physical residence, as it pertains to being part of the theocracy that centers around Jerusalem.

As indicated in verse 2, those who hope in the Lord are likened to Mount Zion, which shall not be moved and will endure forever. Just as Jerusalem is encircled and safeguarded by mountains, so too does the Lord provide protection to His people. Jerusalem is bordered by mountains on three sides, allowing only difficult passage from the north for potential invaders; similarly, God's divine safeguarding creates a protective barrier around spiritual Jerusalem, encompassing His chosen people. The current distress, while challenging, is temporary, as God will soon eradicate the oppressive dominance of the Gentiles over Palestine, preventing the righteous from straying or adopting the corrupt behaviors of their wicked enemies.

The “rod,” originating from the Hebrew term for a scepter, symbolizes the affliction imposed by the Gentiles, serving as a chastisement for sin. The inheritance allotted to the righteous pertains to the land of Israel. The Psalmist implores the Lord to protect His faithful, bringing punishment upon their wicked adversaries so that peace may be restored to Israel. Verse 5 in the Hebrew states that those who stray from God's commandments may be taken away alongside the workers of iniquity. The term for “crooked paths” suggests that the corrupt might refer to the tangled fetters of sin they willingly entangle themselves in or traps laid for others. In interpreting this, some early Church Fathers and Latin versions understood these entrapments to imply forms of suffocation or strangulation used against their neighbors, aligning with the themes presented in verse 3. The Vulgate’s rendering connects evasion from God with being ensnared by sin, highlighting the bindings that lead to moral degradation. The phrase "will take away" expresses a definitive intent to eliminate and judge the wicked.

Additionally, there are Angels, Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, and Archangels, offering protection. The righteous are welcomed with the words: “Come, ye blessed of my Father,” while the condemnation of the wicked echoes: “Depart from Me, ye cursed.” The unrighteous engage in idolatrous sacrifices, but the faithful direct their offerings toward Christ, the true God. The Cross of Christ, grace, and the sacraments of the Church serve as the shield for the just. This is a prayer rooted in righteousness, seeking that the virtuous may receive their fitting rewards as stated in the words of Christ: “with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). Those pure in heart do not waver between good and evil. To the righteous, the Lord bestows grace and strength as He Himself did—healing the sick, casting out demons, and raising the dead. Those who stray from righteousness into wickedness shall fall back from justice into the land of despair. The nation of Israel, who believes in Christ the Lord, embodies the truth of the world.