Psalms 125:2

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.

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Psalms 125:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 125:2

As the mountains [are] round about Jerusalem
There was Mount Zion on the side of the north, and the mount of Olives on the east, and other mountains on the other sides of it; so that it was encompassed with them, and was naturally as well as artificially fortified. Tacitus F11 describes Jerusalem as inaccessible, walls and mountains, rocks and towers, surrounding it: and the poet Coerilus F12 makes mention of a people that spoke the Phoenician language, by whom he plainly means the Jews, (oikoun d'en solumoiv oresi) , "that inhabited the mountains of Solyma"; which are spoken of by Homer F13, from whence, according to Tacitus F14, Jerusalem had its name: yet, as Kimchi observes, this did not hinder the enemy from taking it; wherefore the Lord is a greater security to his people;

so the Lord [is] round about his people, from henceforth even for ever;
he encompasses them with his favour and lovingkindness as a shield; he encircles them in the arms of everlasting love; he guards them by his providence all around, and keeps a wakeful and watchful eye over them, that nothing hurts them: he keeps them, as in a garrison, by his almighty power: these are the walls that are around them, yea, he himself is a wall of fire about them, and the glory in the midst of them, ( Zechariah 2:5 ) ; and so he continues; he never leaves his people, nor forsakes them, but is their God and guide even unto death. The Targum is,

``the Word of the Lord is round about his people;''

Christ, the essential Word of God.


FOOTNOTES:

F11 Hist. l. 5. c. 11.
F12 Apud Euseb. Praerar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 9.
F13 Odyss. 5. v. 283.
F14 Ut supra. (Hist. l. 5. c. 11.)

Psalms 125:2 In-Context

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time on and forevermore.
3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous might not stretch out their hands to do wrong.
4 Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts.
5 But those who turn aside to their own crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers. Peace be upon Israel!
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.