Friday, July 5, 2013

Day 186: Psalm 125, 126, 127 and 128


As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore (Psalm 125:2).

This was one of Israel’s 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.

I live in Portland, Oregon 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.

Speaking of mountains, Jerusalem was built on a raised elevation (Zion sits at about 2,500 feet above sea level), but it is surrounded on all sides by low mountains, which afforded a great measure of protection from enemy attacks. 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.

TODAY’S MEDITATION
Have you acknowledged God’s care and protection in your life this week? Do that now.

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