Psalm 125:2 “As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.”
One of the most effective teaching methods is ‘association’; that is, associating something unknown with something that is already known and understood. In this passage, a word-picture is created in our minds of “Jerusalem” nestled securely behind a ring of mountains. It is easy, in our minds, to see ourselves standing in “Jerusalem” looking up at the mighty mountains around us. This ring of mountains provides a natural barrier against invading armies. Similarly, as those “mountains are round about Jerusalem”, “the LORD is round about his people” to protect, help, comfort, and encourage them. The actual city of “Jerusalem” is often used to teach us about the “Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all” (Galatians 4:26); that is, the Church of Jesus Christ our Lord, Master, King, High Priest, and Savior; Who is “mighty to save” (Isaiah 63:1). Furthermore, the “mountains … round about Jerusalem” were not created or built by man, they are greater and mightier than any defenses that man could erect. Another association is a protective “ring of fire”: “For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” (Zechariah 2:5). A “ring of fire” is also easy to visualize in our minds. The visualizations of the ring of “mountains” and the “ring of fire” are given to us to encourage and comfort us when we are under attack from adversaries which seek to conquer and do us harm. The Blessed Church of Jesus Christ has, from the very beginning, been hatefully assaulted by the Lord’s enemies; but, in every case the Lord’s defending presence (ring of “mountains” and “fire”) has held the attackers back and has protected and sustained His Beloved Church down to this very day. And He will continue to do so “from henceforth even for ever”! We have every reason to “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” (Psalms 31:24).