Psalms 125:1-5: a reflection

1Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which can’t be moved, but remains forever. 2As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people from this time forward and forever more. 3For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous, so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil. 4Do good, LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in their hearts. 5But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, the LORD will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.

This short psalm gives a picture of the security of those who trust in God. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, it says, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. And it adds another image: As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. Those who trust in God are as unshakable as a mountain, and are surrounded, protected on every side, by God himself, as Jerusalem was ringed by mountains.

Notice the two images of security: unshakable like Zion, and surrounded by God like the mountains around Jerusalem. Those who trust in the LORD are not easily moved; they have a stability, an unshakableness, like a mountain that abides. And they are surrounded by God, protected on every side, as the hills encircled Jerusalem; God himself is round about them, a protecting presence on every side. Their security is not in themselves, but in the God who surrounds them and makes them unshakable.

That picture of security is a comfort, for we can feel unstable, easily shaken, exposed on every side. But those who trust in the LORD are made unshakable, and are surrounded by God's protecting presence. Your stability and security are not in yourself, which is easily shaken, but in the God who surrounds you and makes those who trust him unshakable. When you feel unstable, easily moved, exposed, remember that those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, unshakable, and that God surrounds his people as the mountains surround Jerusalem. Trust in the LORD, and find in him a security not your own: unshakable stability, and the protecting presence of God on every side. You are surrounded by God, who makes those who trust him unshakable; rest in that security, not in your own strength, which is easily moved, but in the God who surrounds you and holds you unshakable, from this time forth and forevermore.

Lord, this short psalm pictures the security of those who trust in you: those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever; and as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people. Show me the two images: unshakable like Zion, and surrounded by you like the mountains around Jerusalem. Those who trust in you are not easily moved; they have a stability like a mountain that abides. And they are surrounded by you, protected on every side; you yourself are round about them. Their security is not in themselves, but in you, who surround them and make them unshakable. Give me the comfort of that, for I can feel unstable, easily shaken, exposed on every side. But those who trust in you are made unshakable, and surrounded by your protecting presence. My stability and security are not in myself, which is easily shaken, but in you, who surround me. When I feel unstable, easily moved, exposed, help me remember that those who trust in you are like Mount Zion, unshakable, and that you surround your people. Help me trust in you, Lord, and find in you a security not my own: unshakable stability, and your protecting presence on every side. I am surrounded by you; help me rest in that security.