Psalms 125:1-5: in context

This short psalm gives two images of security for those who trust in the LORD. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, it says, which cannot be moved but remains forever. And then a second image: as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forever more. Jerusalem sat ringed by hills, encircled and sheltered; and as those mountains stood round about the city, so God stands round about his people, surrounding them on every side.

The image of God surrounding his people, as the mountains surround Jerusalem, is one to rest in. Jerusalem was encircled by hills, ringed about, and the psalmist sees in that a picture of how God is present around his people: not only above them or before them, but around them, on every side, encircling them completely. The LORD surrounds his people. Wherever they turn, he is there; on every side they are hemmed in by his presence and protection; they dwell within the circle of his care, surrounded as the city is surrounded by its hills. There is deep security in this. To be surrounded by God is to be protected on every side, with no side left unguarded, no direction from which harm can come that does not first meet him. We can feel exposed, vulnerable, as though danger might come from any quarter and find us undefended. The psalm answers that God surrounds his people: he is on every side, encircling us, so that we are held within his protecting presence, hemmed in by his care. The angel of the LORD, another psalm says, encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. We dwell not merely under God's watch but within his encircling presence, surrounded on every side. And this surrounding is not for a season but forever: from this time forth and forever more, the psalm says. God's encircling of his people does not lift; he surrounds them now and always, a protection that does not expire. When we feel exposed and vulnerable, we may take hold of this image: that as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, present on every side, encircling us with his care, so that we are held, protected, and hemmed in by his presence, now and forever. Underneath are the everlasting arms, Moses says; and around us, on every side, is the God who surrounds his people. We do not stand exposed and alone; we stand within the circle of God's encompassing care.

When I feel exposed and vulnerable, as though danger might come from any quarter and find me undefended, can I take hold of the psalm's image that as the mountains surround Jerusalem so the LORD surrounds his people, encircling me on every side with his protecting presence now and forever, so that I stand not exposed and alone but held within the circle of God's encompassing care?