As 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.
Psalm 125:5 closes the song with a solemn division. The psalm began with those who trust in the LORD, comparing their security to mount Zion, which cannot be removed (v.1). It then declared Jehovah’s surrounding care over His people (v.2), promised that the rod of the wicked would not rest upon the lot of the righteous (v.3), and prayed for good to those who are good and upright in heart (v.4). Verse 5 gives the opposite end of those who forsake that path. Some turn aside into crooked ways and are led forth with workers of iniquity; Israel is left with peace. This is instruction and warning sung before God: the faithful are taught not to follow apostates, for Jehovah distinguishes the upright from those who depart into wickedness.
“As for such as turn aside.” The verse begins with a distinct class of persons. They had been near the way, but they turned aside from it. Samuel warned Israel, “And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain” (I Samuel 12:21). Psalm 125 does not teach that every saint who stumbles is therefore numbered with workers of iniquity. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (Proverbs 24:16). Scripture distinguishes such a falling saint from men who have forsaken the right way and are gone astray (II Peter 2:15).
Departure after outward association gives evidence that true agreement with the truth and with God’s people was never present within. John wrote, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (I John 2:19). Outward fellowship, hearing truth, and sharing religious privileges do not prove a man truly belongs to God. Israel’s history supplies the warning: “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6).
“Unto their crooked ways.” The possessive pronoun “their” is searching. These are not God’s ways but paths chosen and owned by the men themselves. Isaiah describes the common departure of mankind: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). A crooked way bends away from what is straight and right. Proverbs speaks of evil men, “Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths” (Proverbs 2:15). The plural “ways” allows many forms of departure: false worship, covetousness, uncleanness, bitterness, dishonesty, rebellion, or doctrinal error. The roads differ, but their character is the same: man leaves God’s rule for his own course. The saint must therefore judge his way by Scripture rather than sincerity, popularity, ease, or custom. Crookedness begins whenever our will is preferred to God’s command.
“The LORD shall lead them forth.” Jehovah Himself brings the judgment. LORD in all capital letters is the King James Bible’s usual way of representing the ancient Hebrew tetragrammaton, JHVH. Men may conceal their departure for a season. They may retain religious language, reputation, office, or outward fellowship while their heart and conduct have turned aside, but Jehovah knows every path.
“Shall lead them forth” is future and certain. God will finally make the distinction plain. Christ said, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known” (Luke 12:2). This does not authorize suspicion, invented charges, or treating weakness as apostasy. It teaches every man to examine his own course and trust Jehovah to judge correctly. “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6). God does not confuse the stumbling righteous with those who forsake His way and do not return.
“With the workers of iniquity.” Their final company reveals their true character. Whatever profession they once made, their chosen course joins them with “workers of iniquity.” Iniquity is unrighteousness, man turning from God’s way to his own (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 6:19). The phrase describes men characterized by practicing what God condemns, not a saint grieving over a sin he hates and forsakes.
Turning aside is therefore serious because departure has a destination and a company. Moses made the opposite choice: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:25). A man may imagine he is choosing freedom from restraint, but God sees whether his path joins him with those who work iniquity. Religious profession will not protect such men. John gives the test: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:3-4). Jesus said, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
Scripture warns believers that they may fall. Peter wrote to the beloved, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (II Peter 3:17). Paul warned, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). Scripture is full of such warnings, but it gives no comfort to the man who turns aside and continues in crooked ways. He may not claim assurance while he walks with workers of iniquity. Yet the final judgment belongs to God: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Timothy 2:19).
Jesus Christ also gives the preservation that guards this warning from any doctrine that makes eternal life depend upon human endurance. He said of His sheep, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). Those who depart give evidence against themselves (I John 2:19); His sheep are preserved by His power. Preservation does not make apostasy harmless. It assures the saints that Christ does not lose those He saves, while the warning drives them to cleave to Him and refuse crooked ways.
“But peace shall be upon Israel.” “But” gives the blessed contrast. The crooked are led forth with workers of iniquity, but peace rests upon Israel. In the psalm’s plain national setting, Israel is the people remaining under Jehovah’s favor, distinguished from those within the nation who turn aside. The rod of wickedness will not finally rest upon the righteous (v.3), for God surrounds His people as the mountains surround Jerusalem (v.2).
The apostle later speaks the same blessing upon God’s people: “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Peace is therefore a fitting last word after threats from the wicked and warnings about departure. It belongs in practical fellowship with God to those walking under His rule. Salvation rests entirely in God’s grace and Christ’s work.
Do not turn aside because the crooked road appears easier. Jehovah knows every path and will separate those who work iniquity from those who trust Him. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Walk straight before God, remain with His people, and seek the peace He places upon Israel.
As 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.
Psalm 125:5 closes the song with a solemn division. The psalm began with those who trust in the LORD, comparing their security to mount Zion, which cannot be removed (v.1). It then declared Jehovah’s surrounding care over His people (v.2), promised that the rod of the wicked would not rest upon the lot of the righteous (v.3), and prayed for good to those who are good and upright in heart (v.4). Verse 5 gives the opposite end of those who forsake that path. Some turn aside into crooked ways and are led forth with workers of iniquity; Israel is left with peace. This is instruction and warning sung before God: the faithful are taught not to follow apostates, for Jehovah distinguishes the upright from those who depart into wickedness.
“As for such as turn aside.” The verse begins with a distinct class of persons. They had been near the way, but they turned aside from it. Samuel warned Israel, “And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain” (I Samuel 12:21). Psalm 125 does not teach that every saint who stumbles is therefore numbered with workers of iniquity. “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again” (Proverbs 24:16). Scripture distinguishes such a falling saint from men who have forsaken the right way and are gone astray (II Peter 2:15).
Departure after outward association gives evidence that true agreement with the truth and with God’s people was never present within. John wrote, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (I John 2:19). Outward fellowship, hearing truth, and sharing religious privileges do not prove a man truly belongs to God. Israel’s history supplies the warning: “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6).
“Unto their crooked ways.” The possessive pronoun “their” is searching. These are not God’s ways but paths chosen and owned by the men themselves. Isaiah describes the common departure of mankind: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). A crooked way bends away from what is straight and right. Proverbs speaks of evil men, “Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths” (Proverbs 2:15). The plural “ways” allows many forms of departure: false worship, covetousness, uncleanness, bitterness, dishonesty, rebellion, or doctrinal error. The roads differ, but their character is the same: man leaves God’s rule for his own course. The saint must therefore judge his way by Scripture rather than sincerity, popularity, ease, or custom. Crookedness begins whenever our will is preferred to God’s command.
“The LORD shall lead them forth.” Jehovah Himself brings the judgment. LORD in all capital letters is the King James Bible’s usual way of representing the ancient Hebrew tetragrammaton, JHVH. Men may conceal their departure for a season. They may retain religious language, reputation, office, or outward fellowship while their heart and conduct have turned aside, but Jehovah knows every path.
“Shall lead them forth” is future and certain. God will finally make the distinction plain. Christ said, “For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known” (Luke 12:2). This does not authorize suspicion, invented charges, or treating weakness as apostasy. It teaches every man to examine his own course and trust Jehovah to judge correctly. “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6). God does not confuse the stumbling righteous with those who forsake His way and do not return.
“With the workers of iniquity.” Their final company reveals their true character. Whatever profession they once made, their chosen course joins them with “workers of iniquity.” Iniquity is unrighteousness, man turning from God’s way to his own (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 6:19). The phrase describes men characterized by practicing what God condemns, not a saint grieving over a sin he hates and forsakes.
Turning aside is therefore serious because departure has a destination and a company. Moses made the opposite choice: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;” (Hebrews 11:25). A man may imagine he is choosing freedom from restraint, but God sees whether his path joins him with those who work iniquity. Religious profession will not protect such men. John gives the test: “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (I John 2:3-4). Jesus said, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23).
Scripture warns believers that they may fall. Peter wrote to the beloved, “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” (II Peter 3:17). Paul warned, “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (I Corinthians 10:12). Scripture is full of such warnings, but it gives no comfort to the man who turns aside and continues in crooked ways. He may not claim assurance while he walks with workers of iniquity. Yet the final judgment belongs to God: “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (II Timothy 2:19).
Jesus Christ also gives the preservation that guards this warning from any doctrine that makes eternal life depend upon human endurance. He said of His sheep, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28). Those who depart give evidence against themselves (I John 2:19); His sheep are preserved by His power. Preservation does not make apostasy harmless. It assures the saints that Christ does not lose those He saves, while the warning drives them to cleave to Him and refuse crooked ways.
“But peace shall be upon Israel.” “But” gives the blessed contrast. The crooked are led forth with workers of iniquity, but peace rests upon Israel. In the psalm’s plain national setting, Israel is the people remaining under Jehovah’s favor, distinguished from those within the nation who turn aside. The rod of wickedness will not finally rest upon the righteous (v.3), for God surrounds His people as the mountains surround Jerusalem (v.2).
The apostle later speaks the same blessing upon God’s people: “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16). Peace is therefore a fitting last word after threats from the wicked and warnings about departure. It belongs in practical fellowship with God to those walking under His rule. Salvation rests entirely in God’s grace and Christ’s work.
Do not turn aside because the crooked road appears easier. Jehovah knows every path and will separate those who work iniquity from those who trust Him. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Walk straight before God, remain with His people, and seek the peace He places upon Israel.