Psalms 125:5

As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel. AS FOR SUCH AS TURN ASIDE (JOB 23:11 ; ISAIAH 30:11 ) UNTO THEIR CROOKED WAYS - (Proverbs 2:15.) The revealed word is the Divine King's highway. A walk according to one's own lust is a fatal by-path (Malachi 2:8). So Israel's setting up of the golden calf (Deuteronomy 9:16). Such walks are called "THEIR crooked ways" ...

5._But those who turn aside into their crooked paths, etc_. As the participle המטים, _hammattim, _is in the conjugation _Hiphil, _it should, according to the rules of grammar, be rather translated in an active sense — _those who cause to turn aside; _but it being no uncommon thing for verbs in that conjugation to be taken in a neuter sense, the, version which I have followed is probably the correct one. Still, as the active signification is not less appropriate, I would leave the reader freely to exercise his own judgment. The meaning is, that God does not always connive at the wickedness of those who, while boasting of a hollow and counterfeit profession, wander hither and thither according to their own lust, or even corrupt the simple, and draw them into the same excess of sinning with themselves. I have no doubt that the Psalmist here speaks of hypocrites, who are so hardened by tempo...

4,5 God's promises should quicken our prayers. The way of holiness is straight; there are no windings or shiftings in it. But the ways of sinners are crooked. They shift from one purpose to another, and turn hither and thither to deceive; but disappointment and misery shall befal them. Those who cleave to the ways of God, though they may have trouble in their way, their end shall be peace. The pleading of their Saviour for them, secures to them the upholding power and preserving grace of their God. Lord, number us with them, in time, and to eternity...

Verse Psalms 125:5. _AS FOR SUCH AS TURN ASIDE_] Who are not _faithful_; who _give way to sin_; who _backslide_, and walk in a _crooked way_, widely different from the _straight way_ of the _upright_, ישרים yesharim, the _straight_ in heart; they shall be _led forth_ to punishment _with the common workers of iniquity_. Thus thy Church will be purified, and thy _peace_ rest _upon_ thy true _Israel_. Let him that readeth understand. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH PSALM It is the purpose of the psalmist to comfort the people of God, - I. By an assurance of their perpetuity, both from God's presence and protection, Psalms 125:1. II. That though

AS FOR SUCH AS TURN ASIDE UNTO THEIR CROOKED WAYS - The wicked. Those who leave the right or straight path, and wander in forbidden ways. The word here rendered “crooked ways” occurs nowhere else except in Judges 5:6, where it is rendered “by-ways,” meaning unfrequented paths or roads; narrow and crooked paths, remote from the highways, or the ways commonly traversed. Hence, the word means also paths of sin - as deviations from the straight road which man should travel. THE LORD SHALL LEAD THEM FORTH WITH THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY - They shall be dealt with as sinners. They shall be punished. The allusion is to backsliders; to those who forsake the worship of God; who cease to do “good;” who, though among the professed people of God, wander from him in by-paths and forbidden ways. The idea is, that their profession of religion

EXPOSITION This a psalm, mainly, of comfort; but with comfort, prayer (Psalms 125:4) and threatening (Psalms 125:5) are blended. God's people are always under God's protection. He will always "be good" to them. But the double-minded he will infallibly cast out. PSALMS 125:1 THEY THAT TRUST IN THE LORD SHALL BE AS MOUNT ZION; rather, _are as Mount Zion_; _i_._e_. are as firmly fixed and established as "the mount of God," WHICH CANNOT BE REMOVED, BUT ABIDETH FOREVER (comp. Isaiah 28:16)....

AS FOR SUCH AS TURN ASIDE UNTO THEIR CROOKED WAYS,.... The ways of sin, immorality, or error; which are crooked ways, not agreeing with the word of God, the rule of faith and practice. This seems to design not openly profane sinners, who have always lived in a course of sin and wickedness; but carnal professors, who, through affliction and persecution because of the word, are offended, and desert the good ways of God; and turn from the holy commandment, word, and ordinances, they have professionally embraced; THE LORD SHALL LEAD THEM FORTH WITH THE WORKERS OF INIQUITY; the Targum adds, "to hell.'' These hypocrites shall be led forth by the Lord with abandoned sinners, like malefactors to the place of execution; when he shall bid them depart from him, and they shall go into everlasting fire; and if there is any place in hell hotter than another, those shall have it; see...

Psalms 125:1. _They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. For the rod of the wicked shall not test upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity._ By «the rod» is here meant «the scepter.» The wicked shall not permanently rule over the righteous; they may have a temporary dominion and sovereignty; but, in due season, their rod shall be broken, and their power shall be scattered to the winds. Psalms 125:4. Do good O Lord, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them fort

PSALM 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrate the feasts of the Lord--”Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, a testimony for Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.” They are indeed Psalms of “the goings-up” for we rise higher and higher as we read through them. Prophetically they give us again the steps from trial and suffering to the glorious consummation. As they are so simple in language and construction no lengthy annotations are needed. Psalms 120:1 begins with distress, picturing again the suffering of the righteous godly remnant. In Psalms 121:1 the Keeper of Israel, the Covenant Keeping God, is revealed

CXXV. YAHWEH'S PROTECTIVE CARE OF ISRAEL. Yahweh will not allow heathen to rule over Israel, because this would tempt Jews to please their masters by adopting heathen usages....