Psalms 125:3

For the scepter of the wicked will not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not put forth their hands to injustice.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The psalmist addresses the covenant community, following the assurance that Yahweh surrounds His people like mountains encircle Jerusalem. The declaration occurs within a wisdom-style psalm contrasting divine protection with the limits of human oppression.

The words — שֵׁבֶט (shevet) denotes a rod or scepter of authority, and גּוֹרָל (goral) refers to an allotted portion or land inheritance. The text literally states that the wicked’s rod will not rest upon the righteous’s allotted land.

The thread — This motif of broken tyrannical authority appears in Isaiah 14:5, where Yahweh shatters the ruler’s staff, and Psalm 89:22, which promises no enemy will exact tribute. Proverbs 22:8 similarly warns that the rod of fury will ultimately be destroyed.

Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that God’s jurisdiction limits earthly oppression, preventing the righteous from being forced into sin. It requires readers to reject the assumption that tyranny dictates moral boundaries or divine favor.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

כִּ֤יkifor לֹ֪אlo'not יָנ֡וּחַya.Nu.achit will rest שֵׁ֤בֶטShe.vet[the] scepter of הָרֶ֗שַׁעha./Re.sha'<the>/ wickedness עַל֮'alover גּוֹרַ֪לgo.Ral[the] allotted portion of הַֽצַּדִּ֫יקִ֥יםha./tza.Di.Kimthe/ righteous [people]לְמַ֡עַןle.Ma.'anso that לֹא־lo'-not יִשְׁלְח֖וּyish.le.Chu<they> may stretch out הַצַּדִּיקִ֨יםha./tza.di.Kimthe/ righteous [people]בְּעַוְלָ֬תָהbe./'av.La.tahin/ injustice יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ye.dei./Hemhands/ their

King James Version

For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Cross-references

Isaiah 14:5 The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of the rulers.
Psalms 89:22 No enemy will exact tribute; no wicked man will oppress him.
Proverbs 22:8 He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it.
Revelation 2:10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Isaiah 27:8 By warfare and exile You contended with her and removed her with a fierce wind, as on the day the east wind blows.
1 Samuel 24:10 Behold, this day you have seen with your own eyes that the LORD delivered you into my hand in the cave. I was told to kill you, but I spared you and said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my lord, since he is the LORD’s anointed.’
Psalms 103:9 He will not always accuse us, nor harbor His anger forever.
Isaiah 10:5 Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.
Psalms 103:14 For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust.