Tehillim 125 | “As Hills Surround Jerusalem”

In Psalm 121, the mountains were described as an obstacle standing before the traveler, filling him with fear and uncertainty as he wondered who would help him. In contrast, Psalm 125 is spoken from within Jerusalem and offers a completely different experience of mountains: “As Hills Surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, now and forever” (125:2).

The mountains surrounding Jerusalem provide its inhabitants with a sense of security. Symbolically, they reflect the sense of God’s protection felt by those who dwell in the holy city. Just as the natural landscape guards them, so too does the Lord surround His people and protect them.