The mountains of Jerusalem

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” Psalm 125:2
Jerusalem is an amazing place to visit. To see it with your own eyes makes the Bible come alive in so many different ways. The Old City is built, of course, on Mount Zion, with two steep valleys on either side: the Kidron Valley, across from which is the Mount of Olives, and the Hinnom Valley.


View from the Spring of Gihon across the Kidron Valley towards the Mount of Olives. The Hinnom Valley joins the Kidron Valley on the right.

In fact, in every direction that you look, from any point in Jerusalem, you see a hill. This brings a whole new light to the verse, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.” God surrounds us – His people – on all sides. He isn’t confined to one aspect of our life (for instance, our church activities). He knows, and cares, and provides for you in your job, your family, your sports team. He’s with you when you go shopping or to the cinema, when you travel abroad or when you’re waiting to catch a bus. And, like the hills around Jerusalem, He isn’t somewhere off in the distance. He is close by – only a prayer away.
The mountainous terrain around Jersualem helped to protect her from her enemies. God is our ultimate protection, our refuge and strength in times of trouble.
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth” (Ps. 121:1-2).