Psalms 125:4-5

Psalms 125:4-5

[4] Do good,  O LORD,  unto those that be good,  and to them that are upright  in their hearts.  [5] As for such as turn aside  unto their crooked ways,  the LORD  with the workers  of iniquity:  but peace  shall be upon Israel. 

What does Psalms 125:4-5 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

However, even though God"s people are secure, they have a choice concerning how they will live. They can be faithful to the Lord, or depart from Him and live sinful lives. In Psalm 125:4, the psalmist asked God to bless those of His people who do good and remain upright in their attitudes and affections. In Psalm 125:5, he warned that those believers who did not follow Him faithfully would suffer a fate similar to that of the wicked. They would cease to enjoy the privileges of intimate fellowship with Yahweh. For Israel, this meant banishment and captivity as an ultimate punishment. Nevertheless, they would never cease to be His people ( Psalm 125:1-3). The psalmist closed by praying for peace on Israel, which in the context required walking with God.
"The life of faith is not easy, but the life of unbelief is much harder-in this life and in the life to come." [1]
This psalm makes a distinction that is obvious in the history of Israel. The New Testament teaches that these principles apply to Christians as well. Those who trust in the Lord are eternally secure, but they can choose to follow Him faithfully and experience His blessing, or depart from Him and suffer His discipline.