In this psalm the poet pictures the superior strength and power of the Lord, and the stability, permanence, and safety of all who place their trust in Him. He does so by comparing the Lord to the mountain range which surrounds Jerusalem (v. 2) and God's people to Mount Zion (v. 1).
One Old Testament commentator says: "There can scarcely be a finer comparison to convey the thought of a completely unshakeable solidity than that of a mountain rooted deep in the rock of the earth."
The Jewish pilgrims may have sung these words as they drew near to Jerusalem and Mount Zion and saw the mountains rising up from the ground all around her. The thought must have come to their minds: "With Jehovah, our Savior-God, hedging us in on all sides (protecting and defending us from harm), we are safe and secure. No evil can befall us."
A comforting thought for us too. The world we live in is in a constant state of flux. "Change and decay in all around I see." Many are the quakes and tremors that threaten to shake our Christian confidence and crumble our faith to dust as we continue our journey to the Jerusalem above. Tremors in the form of trials, tribulations, stress, worry, attacks from the unholy three — the devil, world, flesh.
This psalm teaches us where alone we can secure the strength and stability needed to withstand the powerful shock waves. It assures us that, as we place our trust in the Lord, nothing can move us, nothing can separate us from His love. Our souls are safe in Him.
— From the Lutheran Spokesman |
