“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.”
My Notes
What Does Psalms 125:5 Mean?
Psalm 125:5 draws a stark line between two destinies. "As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways" — the Hebrew hamatim aqalqalotam describes those who bend, twist, or deviate toward tortuous, winding paths. The image is of a road that curves away from the straight path — not a sudden break but a gradual turning aside. The crookedness is both the method (how they live) and the destination (where they end up).
"The LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity" — those who choose crooked paths will ultimately share the fate of those who openly practice wickedness. The subtle compromiser and the brazen evildoer end up at the same place. God doesn't distinguish between degrees of departure — a crooked way is a crooked way, whether it curves gently or sharply.
"But peace shall be upon Israel" — shalom al-yisrael. The psalm ends where it began (v. 1-2: "They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion"). The contrast is complete: those who turn aside meet the fate of the wicked; those who remain faithful receive peace. This is one of the Songs of Ascents, sung by pilgrims walking up to Jerusalem for worship. The final word — peace — is both a blessing and a choice. The road to Zion is straight. The ones who walk it find shalom.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Can you identify a place in your life where you've been gradually turning aside — not dramatically, but in small increments?
- 2.Why do you think God groups the subtle compromiser with the open worker of iniquity? Does that feel fair?
- 3.What does 'peace upon Israel' look like in your life — what does staying on the straight path actually produce?
- 4.What helps you stay on the straight road when shortcuts and crooked paths look easier?
Devotional
Nobody plans to end up on a crooked path. That's what makes this verse so unsettling. The Hebrew doesn't describe people who sprint toward evil. It describes people who turn aside — gradually, incrementally, one small bend at a time. The path curves so gently you barely notice you've left the straight road until you look up and realize you're somewhere you never intended to be.
And here's the part that stings: God groups them with "the workers of iniquity." Not because their sins are identical, but because the destination is the same. The person who slowly compromises and the person who openly rebels end up being led forth together. The crooked path doesn't get a separate, gentler judgment just because the departure was subtle.
But the verse doesn't end with warning. It ends with "peace shall be upon Israel." Shalom — wholeness, completeness, nothing broken, nothing missing — rests on those who stay. Not on those who are perfect, but on those who don't turn aside. The pilgrims walking up to Jerusalem sang this. They were tired, the road was long, and the temptation to take a shortcut was real. This verse is the song you sing when your legs ache but you keep walking straight: the peace is worth the road.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways,.... The ways of sin, immorality, or error; which are crooked ways,…
As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways - The wicked. Those who leave the right or straight path, and wander…
Here is, 1. The prayer the psalmist puts up for the happiness of those that are sincere and constant (Psa 125:4): Do…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture