Psalm 125 is a Song of Ascents of unshakable trust: “They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved for ever that dwelleth in Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people.” In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 124. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.
Psalm 125 in the Douay-Rheims Bible
They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Sion: he shall not be moved for ever that dwelleth
In Jerusalem. Mountains are round about it: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth now and for ever.
For the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just: that the just may not stretch forth their hands to iniquity.
Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.
But such as turn aside into bonds, the Lord shall lead out with the workers of iniquity: peace upon Israel.
Psalm 125 or Psalm 124?
The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 124 is Psalm 125 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Qui confidunt in Domino, sicut mons Sion. See how many psalms are there?
Surrounded by God
Pilgrims climbing to Jerusalem could see the hills that ring the city on every side. The psalm turns that view into a promise: just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, the Lord surrounds his people, “from henceforth now and for ever.” Those who trust him share the stability of Mount Sion itself. Evil will not rule for ever over the just, lest the just be tempted to do evil.
For Christians, the true Sion is Christ and his Church, built on the rock. Whoever trusts in him stands firm. The fifteen Songs of Ascents, Psalms 120 to 134 (119 to 133 in the Douay-Rheims), were sung by pilgrims “going up” to Jerusalem for the great feasts. See Psalm 120.
What the psalm means
- Unshakable trust: like the mountain on which the Temple stood.
- Surrounded by God: as hills surround Jerusalem.
- Evil will not last: “the Lord will not leave the rod of sinners upon the lot of the just.”
- A prayer for the good: “Do good, O Lord, to those that are good, and to the upright of heart.”
- Peace: “peace upon Israel.”
How the Church uses Psalm 125
- One of the Songs of Ascents, prayed in the Liturgy of the Hours.
- In times of instability and fear, as a prayer of trust. See psalms for strength.
A prayer with Psalm 125
Written for this page:
Lord, those who trust in you are like Mount Sion, which cannot be shaken.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, surround me and my family.
Do good to the good and the upright of heart,
and give your peace to your people now and for ever. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Where is “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people”?
Psalm 125:2 (124:2 in the Douay-Rheims).
What is Psalm 125 about?
The security of those who trust in God, surrounded by his protection like Jerusalem by its mountains.
More psalms and prayers
Texts and sources
- Scripture: Psalm 124 (125), Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
- The prayer was written for this page.