Psalm 125 is one of the "psalms of ascents," those associated with visits to Jerusalem for the annual pilgrim festivals. People arriving in Jerusalem might look up and realize that with all the insecurities of life, God was the one dependable thing. From his throne he rules the Universe, and those who trust in him are on solid ground (v 1). Mt Zion represents God's presence, power, and protection.
Verse 3 of this psalm begins with an important affirmation: "For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous." Israel might experience correction, even exile, but ultimately they would be restored to the land.
Since God is just and faithful, God's people can pray the "thy kingdom come" prayer for justice and peace to prevail (vv 4-5).
We see one illustration of Psalm 125:3 in the prophecy of Isaiah 10, which seems to date from a time shortly after the mighty Assyrian Empire conquered the northern tribes of Israel, with capital at Samaria, in 722 BC. [Commentator Geoffrey Grogan (EBC) notes that we know when Assyria took the places mentioned in Isa 10:9, with the latest of those conquests occurring in 717 BC.] The arrogant Assyrians assumed that they easily would be able to take over the southern kingdom of Judah as they had the northern kingdom (vv 7-11). However, God would not allow that (vv 12-34). Ultimately the Messiah, the "mighty God" of Isa 9:6-7, would rule in Jerusalem (Isa 10:21; 11:1-11).
