(vs. 1) “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.” Their confidence in the Lord’s care over His own is based upon the position that Zion has in His thoughts and purposes.
He chose mount Zion when all had failed. “And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He had founded forever” (Psa. 78:69 J.N.D). His care over them is based on His purposes concerning them collectively. It seems that the tendency of the heart is to give up collective testimony when discouraged, and to feel that the promises concerning the individual path alone abides. But the Scriptures do mark out a collective path for faith (2 Tim. 2:22).
(vs. 3) “For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous.” This is encouraging; as another has said, “It is of measured duration as well as measured severity.” And those days are to be shortened for the sake of the elect of Israel in the future (Matt. 24:22). Those of this dispensation have similar promises (1 Cor. 10:13).
(vs. 5) “As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity.” The “crooked ways” are really apostasy. In the future it will mean following the antichrist.
(vs. 5) “But peace shall be upon Israel.” Oh, how the collective portion is here emphasized! They realize that Jehovah will restore and bless them as a nation. From the very beginning, after bringing them through the Red Sea, the desire of Jehovah was expressed to plant them in the mountain of His inheritance, “in the place, O LORD, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in” (Exod. 15:17). In this present dispensation, it is not a geographical center; but “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20).
“Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father” (John 4:21). “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” John 4:23-24).