Psalms 125:2

2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.

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Psalms 125:2 in Other Translations

KJV
2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.
ESV
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
NLT
2 Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, both now and forever.
MSG
2 Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles his people - always has and always will.
CSB
2 Jerusalem-the mountains surround her. And the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.

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 shaken but endures forever.
2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore.
3 The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.
4 LORD, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.
5 But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S 1 Chronicles 21:15
  • 2. Psalms 32:10; Psalms 121:8; Zechariah 2:4-5
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