A Song of Ascents.
1 They that trust in the LORD
Are as mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abideth for ever.
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem,
So the LORD is round about his people,
From this time forth and for evermore.
3 For the sceptre of wickedness shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous;
That the righteous put not forth their hands unto iniquity.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good,
And to them that are upright in their hearts.
5 But as for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,
The LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel.
When we trust in the Lord he makes us to be like the very mountain we seek for our safety. Trust and dependence on God is that which defends us from despair. With walls all around, no ruler may invade. We are safe.
I like the way the psalm describes our troubler as the sceptre of wickedness. It implies rule, dominion and even domination. The troubles overpower us to direct our steps and days – or, they try to, anyways. By God’s protective goodness, they have no true and lasting power over us.
Don’t think only of governments, states and earthly lords wielding this sceptre. Our world is full of bad people making bad relationships. Wicked selfish dominion is a common way people use to seek control of their fears and anxieties. They invade our boundaries and try to control us in order to feel better about themselves. Yet, we have God on our side.
God helps and promises to help. God will do good to the upright in heart. Let us, then, keep our hearts and eyes, single focused, on God’s righteous path. It is straight and good. Let those who fear and fight walk in the twisting serpentine paths of wickedness. We will walk in peace for peace.
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