Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved and will endure forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, now and forevermore. Evil people will not always rule the land the Lord gave to those who do right. If they did, those who do right might do what is evil (Psalm 125:1-3).

Driving through mountains helps us grasp the central image of this psalm. Jerusalem was a walled city on the top of a mountain surrounded by other mountains. Standing on top of the walls, looking out at those mountains, an Israelite could feel secure.

Like the mountains surrounding Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people. Of course, God's protection of his people is worth more than mountains. God is always more than the earthly image. We too should have earthly images that impress on us God's protection.

In the relationship God formed with His people Israel, he promised to be their God and called them to follow His ways. If they reject His ways, they break covenant and cannot count on His protection. They rebelled and ended up in Babylon.

The refugees who came back from there sang this song as they struggled to establish a righteous Israelite society. They were opposed by stronger nations, and by fellow Israelites who gave up on righteous living to pursue dishonest gain. The righteous were often left in the economic dust, wondering where on earth God's protection for them was. It was tempting to abandon their vision of an obedient nation. 'Don't give up,' says the psalmist, 'evil folks will not endure. In the end, the righteous will dwell securely in the land.' God will see to it.

How do we use this psalm to strengthen our own faith? One way is to consider Jesus' beatitude, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). Meek here refers to someone who has trained to do what is right, so they do it even when it is difficult, in other words, the righteous, those who trust in the Lord and are not shaken. Such folk will have a place in the renewed creation when Jesus returns and fully establishes his kingdom on earth.

As they gathered in Jerusalem, the holy city, to worship together at the temple, some measure of confidence was restored. God does do good to those who are righteous despite the circumstances that surround them each day. We too need to call on God to surround us like mountains and keep us safe from the wicked ones and those who turn aside to crookedness. May we all find places and times in which we gain new strength for our journey.

It is not easy to live righteously before God, to love him and neighbour. May this psalm fire our imaginations to hear with new ears Jesus' solemn assurance, "In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world" (John 16:33). May this psalm encourage us to live faithfully before him.

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:

"May God our Father himself infuse you with strength and purity, filling you with confidence when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers" (1 Thessalonians 3:13). "May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it" (5:23).