Psalm 125:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.

NIV: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

NASB: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time and forever.

CSB: The mountains surround Jerusalem and the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

NLT: Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

KJV: As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

NKJV: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the Lord surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

Jerusalem's mountains provided natural security. The city itself was founded when David captured a mountain stronghold (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 1:8). Mentions of Mount Zion (Psalm 2:6; 76:2; Jeremiah 51:24) are typically a reference to the city of Jerusalem. God's protection over the city rests on His people much more so than on the hills and buildings. At times, Jerusalem was virtually destroyed (2 Chronicles 36:17–21). Yet the Lord kept Israel from being absorbed and eventually brought them back (Ezra 2:1). This psalm celebrates the divine strength which keeps His people alive and protects them from falling into the sins of an evil culture (Psalm 125:1, 4–5).

A famous illustration of the Lord's supernatural protection is recorded in 2 Kings chapter 6. The prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by enemy Syrian forces in Dothan (2 Kings 6:15). Yet Elisha claimed that the enemy was outnumbered (2 Kings 6:16). After Elisha prayed on his behalf, a doubting servant was given the ability to see the massive army of fiery horses and chariots (2 Kings 6:17). Elisha eventually brought the entire horde to Samaria as virtual captives (2 Kings 6:18–23).

Psalm 125:1–3 reflects on the moral strength of those who trust in the Lord. The psalmist describes them as immovable as Mount Zion (1 Kings 8:1). God's protection will not allow those who honor Him to be tempted beyond their ability (1 Corinthians 10:13). Pressure from pagan oppressors will not last forever.

The psalmist reassures those under pressure from pagan government. Faith in God will keep them secure, like Zion, the mountain at Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:7; 1 Kings 8:1). He prays for the Lord to honor those who honor God. Those who fall away will suffer the consequences. As a prior song did for Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), this one prays for peace on the nation of Israel.

At times, Israel struggled under the domination of foreign powers. These included eras of Babylonian captivity (2 Chronicles 26:17–21; Ezra 2:1) as well as post-exile occupation by Greece and Rome. This psalm may have been written in response to some of this history. Fifteen psalms (Psalms 120—134), including this one, were labeled songs "of ascent" and used by pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem for festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.