Psalm 125

This song of ascents is about trusting God.  We can see a similarity to this in what Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7.  His concluding words were:

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it did not collapse, because its foundation was laid on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain came down and the rivers came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it collapsed, and its fall was great.”

For Israel, Mt. Zion had a very special meaning.  However, to us in 21^st century Western culture, it doesn’t hold the same amount of weight, so let’s understand better the imagery that the psalmist was using.

The classical Hebrew term Tsiyon (Zion) is “a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible ‘City of David.’” Mount Zion represents “the Kingdom of God” in Revelation 21 and “looks ahead to the New Jerusalem that will descend out of heaven.” Zion can indicate one of three places: the hill where the earliest location of Jerusalem stood; the city of Jerusalem itself; or the dwelling place of God.

Source: Bible Study Tools

Additionally, there are 7 mountains in and around Jerusalem!  So, those making the voyage to Jerusalem knew what they would see and as they sung this song, they were looking forward to the sight, but also using that as a reminder of who God is and their security in Him.

Verse 3 is a reminder that even though they were (and we are) oppressed by corrupt governments, injustice, and wicked people, it is only temporary.  We are encouraged to trust in God despite our current circumstances because He is not just a rock, but a permanent mountain.  He is more than just one mountain we stand on, but also the mountains that surround us and protect us!

As the song ends, there is a plea for the Lord’s blessing and protection.  As His children, we ask for His help.  As we sing this song (see below), let us ask for God’s peace amidst the storm.  He is, after all, the Prince of Peace and our deliverer!