AS THE MOUNTAINS SURROUND JERUSALEM

Passage: Psalms 125:1-5

Key verse: 125:2

NIV

Psalm 125
A song of ascents.

1 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,(A)
    which cannot be shaken(B) but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,(C)
    so the Lord surrounds(D) his people
    both now and forevermore.

3 The scepter(E) of the wicked will not remain(F)
    over the land allotted to the righteous,
for then the righteous might use
    their hands to do evil.(G)

4 Lord, do good(H) to those who are good,
    to those who are upright in heart.(I)
5 But those who turn(J) to crooked ways(K)
    the Lord will banish(L) with the evildoers.

Peace be on Israel.(M)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Lord Surrounds His People

A Song of (A)Ascents.

125 Those who (B)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which (C)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so (D)the Lord surrounds his people,
    from this time forth and forevermore.
3 For (E)the scepter of wickedness shall not (F)rest
    on (G)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous (H)stretch out
    their hands to do wrong.
4 (I)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
    and to those who are (J)upright in their hearts!
5 But those who (K)turn aside to their (L)crooked ways
    the Lord will lead away with (M)evildoers!
    (N)Peace be upon Israel!

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, like Mount Zion (1-2). The Psalmist likens those who trust in the Lord to Mount Zion. Mount Zion was a strong and impenetrable hill in the city of Jerusalem, and the place where David chose to construct the temple as God's dwelling place among his people. The kingdom of God is also referred to as Zion. It is the enduring and eternal city of God, his eternal dwelling place. Just as the hills around Jerusalem offered protection to the temple and the people there, so does God protect his own-those who trust in him-in every way. He protects us forever. The Lord surrounds us and bears us to Zion, his heavenly dwelling. Second, the land allotted to the righteous (3-5). The Israelites experienced many rulers who did not live up to God's righteousness, but whose hands did evil. Such rulers would not endure, because God had already allotted the land to the righteous. In his right time the Lord will proclaim his eternal judgment and salvation. His people look to the day when they will inherit their allotment in the kingdom of God.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust in you. Surround me with your protection and bring me to yourself.

One Word: Trust in the Lord