Psalms
Chapter 125
This short psalm compares people who trust the LORD to Mount Zion, a hill that cannot be shoved out of place. It says the LORD surrounds his people the way hills surround Jerusalem, and that wicked rulers will not stay in power over the land God gave his people. It ends with a prayer that God treat good people well, and that those who choose crooked paths be sent away with the wrongdoers.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
1People who trust the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved. It stays right where it is forever.
2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
2Hills stand all around Jerusalem. In the same way, the LORD stands all around his people, now and forever.
3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
3The rule of wicked people will not stay over the land God gave to those who do right. If it did, they might start doing wrong themselves.
The KJV "rod" here means a ruler's staff, a sign of power. The verse is about wicked people holding power, not about beating someone. "The lot of the righteous" means the share of land assigned to them.
4Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts.
4LORD, be good to people who are good, and to those whose hearts are honest.
5As 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.
5But some people turn off and follow crooked paths. The LORD will send them away with those who do evil. Let there be peace for Israel.
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