The city of Jerusalem is nestled within protective mountains. On the north, south, east, and west elevated terrain encircles Mount Zion. Like Jesus’ use of the location and construction of Caesarea Philippi to illustrate the building of His church (in Matthew 16:13ff), the psalmist uses the geography of Jerusalem to express a most comforting truth: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people from this time forth and forever” (Psalm 125:1-2).
As the history of Israel’s occupation illustrates—from the time of David onward, Jerusalem was invincible if its king and inhabitants trusted in the Lord. When Israel left God—when the scepter of wickedness rested on the land allotted to the righteous (Psalm 125:3)—all the mountains in the world could not protect Jerusalem and her inhabitants from desolation.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: To those who are good and whose hearts are upright, Jehovah does good (Psalm 125:4). Those who turn aside to crooked ways He punishes (Psalm 125:5). To you, He is either an immovable, encompassing Protector or an inescapable, victorious Punisher.
It’s your call.
