As the
mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and
forevermore. (Psalm
125:2)
This was one
of the Songs of Ascent – Psalms 120
through 134 – fifteen psalms sung by worshipers making their way to the temple
in Jerusalem. They may have been sung along the road during their pilgrimage,
or as they were actually climbing the temple steps.
Portland, Oregon is in the Willamette Valley, one of the most fertile farming areas in the country. To the west I can see the Coast Range that separates us from the Pacific, and to the east rises Mt. Hood in the Cascades. While the ocean moderates our temperatures, the mountains protect our valley, giving it a long growing season and warmer climate than one might expect. And it doesn't hurt that our glacial and volcanic soil is a half mile thick in places. From berries to hazelnuts to hops to grass seed to wines to nursery stock; it all thrives here.
Jerusalem was
itself built on a raised elevation (Zion sits at about 2,500 feet above sea
level) and is surrounded by low mountains, which afforded a great measure of
protection should an enemy attack. The climb from Jericho to Jerusalem (about
23 miles) was over 3,000 feet. As pilgrims traveled by foot, ascending the
incline to the spiritual and political capital of Judah, they would no doubt
look around at the sheltering mountains, and this psalm would remind them, Just as these mountains surround and protect
Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects his people.
Have you acknowledged God’s care and
protection this week?
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