Psalm 125 (124):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Here, the prophet highlights the protection provided to the city by its geographical position; however, he does not encourage reliance on this alone but instead attributes it to the unbeatable support from God. He acknowledges that while the mountains may serve as a shield, a higher form of protection is necessary to make it truly unassailable. Thus, another translator notes, The Lord is near to His people, meaning that one should not place trust in the surrounding mountains, for this city's strength lies in the assurance that 'the Lord will not allow the rod of the wicked to rest upon the inheritance of the just, lest the just stretch out their hands to wrongdoing.'

This Psalm, part of the Songs of Ascents, instructs us to raise our thoughts to the Lord our God with love and devotion, cautioning against envy of those who flourish in this life with superficially joyful, unstable, and utterly alluring lives. Such individuals cultivate only pride, having hardened their hearts against God and His grace, rendering them unproductive. Those who place their trust in the Lord shall be as unshakable as Mount Zion; they will remain steadfast forever (Psalm 124:1). Who are these steadfast ones? They will dwell eternally in Jerusalem (Psalm 123:2). If we consider the earthly Jerusalem, we see that all of its inhabitants have been scattered by wars and the city's desolation. Seeking a Jew in Jerusalem today yields no result. What assures that those who dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem will not be moved forever? This is because there exists another Jerusalem, often spoken of, which is our mother that we mourn for during our earthly journey, longing for a return to her. Thus, those who reside there will remain unshaken. Conversely, the inhabitants of the earthly Jerusalem were displaced both in spirit and through exile. When they strayed in spirit and fell away, they condemned the very King of the heavenly Jerusalem; they were spiritually outside and closed the door upon their King. They drove Him out of their city and crucified Him outside (John 19:17-18). Consequently, He expelled them from His eternal city, the Jerusalem that is our heavenly mother.

What is this Jerusalem? The psalmist succinctly describes it: "Mountains surround Jerusalem" (Psalm 123:2). Is it remarkable to reside in a city encircled by mountains? Do we truly understand what mountains signify? They are merely elevations of earth. Distinct from these are the mountains we cherish—the lofty peaks that declare truth, whether they are angels, apostles, or prophets. They encircle Jerusalem like a protective wall. Scripture frequently speaks of these splendid and remarkable mountains. These are the mountains we sing about, for "I lift up my eyes to the mountains; where does my help come from?" In this life, our help comes from the Scriptures. The mountains of peace and the hills of righteousness point to the Lord as the ultimate Source of peace, not as originating from themselves, but as recipients of His peace. Therefore, look to the mountains for your peace, seeking help from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth. Further, the Holy Spirit describes these mountains: "Thou lightest them marvelously from Thy everlasting mountains." He does not say that the mountains illuminate, but rather, "Thou enlightenest them from Thy eternal mountains." Through those eternal mountains, which preach the Gospel, He brings light, and not through the mountains themselves. Such are the mountains surrounding Jerusalem.

In order to understand what these mountains surrounding Jerusalem are, it is noteworthy that whenever Scripture refers to virtuous mountains, it often simultaneously mentions the Lord to avoid allowing our hope to be misplaced in the mountains themselves. Thus, the Lord encompasses His people so that their hope rests not on the mountains, but on Him who illuminates them. As He resides in the mountains, in the saints, He encompasses His people, providing them with a spiritual fortress so they may never be moved. When Scripture speaks of evil mountains, it does not reference the Lord. These mountains signify substantial yet malevolent spirits. Do not be deceived, brethren; heresies are not born from insignificant souls. Only formidable individuals are the architects of heresies; their might corresponds to their wickedness, representing mountains that cannot receive peace, but rather inherit strife from their father, the devil. Such mountains are perilous; flee from them. Individuals will arise to exclaim, "There is a great hero! How remarkable was Donatus! Maximian was impressive! Photinus was a notable figure! And Arius was illustrious!" Each mentioned are mountains, yet mountains that lead to ruin.

Rather, embrace those mountains upon which the Lord stands. Then those very mountains will love you if you do not place your hope in them. Observe, brethren, what constitutes the mountains of God. Hence their designation in another passage: "Your righteousness is like the mountains of God." It is not their righteousness, but yours. Hear this mighty mountain, Apostle. “That I may be found in Him, having not my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). However, those who aspire to be mountains due to their righteousness, such as certain Jews or Pharisees, are rebuked for not comprehending God’s righteousness and attempting to uphold their own. They have not surrendered to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:3). Those who submit are exalted—though they are great, they become mountains; as they humble themselves before God, they become valleys; because of their capacity for godliness, they receive an abundance of peace, fostering spiritual nourishment for others. Yet be cautious not to rely on the mountains you love. If you desire to be cherished by virtuous mountains, do not even trust good mountains. Consider the greatness of Paul. Where can one find a comparable figure? We discuss the greatness of a person, and it is challenging to discover someone endowed with such grace. Yet he was wary of others placing their trust in him, saying, "Was Paul crucified for you?" (1 Corinthians 1:13). Lift your eyes to the mountains for help, for "I planted, Apollos watered; but your increase comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth" (1 Corinthians 3:6). Thus, the mountains surround Jerusalem. As the mountains encircle Jerusalem, so too does the Lord surround His people, now and forever. The Lord binds His people in a unifying bond of love and peace, granting that those who hope in the Lord, akin to Mount Zion, shall remain unshaken forever.

The Lord will not allow the rod of the wicked to persist over the portion of the righteous, lest the righteous extend their hands toward wickedness (Psalm 123:3). Indeed, presently the righteous experience some suffering, while at times the unrighteous oppress them. Under what circumstances? Occasionally the unrighteous obtain worldly honors; upon attaining them, they may hold positions as judges or kings. God orchestrates this for the discipline of His people; it is necessary for them to be honored in accordance with their authority. God has arranged His Church such that every power established within the world should receive honor, sometimes even from those superior to them. An illustration is found in the fundamental relationship of authority between individuals, exemplified by masters and servants. Most households function within this structure, composed of both masters and servants; despite their different titles, they are fundamentally the same. The Apostle instructs that servants should submit to their earthly masters: "Servants, be obedient to your masters according to the flesh, with sincerity of heart, as you would to Christ” (Ephesians 6:5). Note that Christ does not liberate men from servitude but rather good servants from unfaithful ones. Consider how much the wealthy owe to Christ, who has provided for them! Therefore, if you have an unbelieving servant and Christ transforms him, you should not instruct him, "Leave your master; now you know your true Master," for he may be unjust. Instead, he is to serve, and to reassure the servant, Christ instructs, "Serve as I have served." I served the unjust before you, and if the Lord of heaven and earth—through whom all things were created—served the unworthy and interceded for His fiercest persecutors, how much more should a mere man fulfill his duty even to a wicked master with all diligence and love! Behold, the best serves the worst but only temporarily. Grasp what I have conveyed about the relationship between masters and servants, as well as authorities and rulers. Sometimes they are virtuous powers that revere God; at other times, they do not. Julian, an infidel emperor and a notorious idolater, had Christian soldiers who served him. When they took the stand for Christ, they recognized only Him in heaven. If he commanded them to worship idols or offer incense, they would choose God above him; however, if he summoned them to march against a nation, they would comply. They discerned their eternal Master from their temporal one, and yet, for the sake of their eternal Master, they were obedient to their earthly authority.

Nonetheless, will the wicked always rule over the righteous? Absolutely not. The rod of the wicked may afflict the righteous temporarily, but it will not endure indefinitely. The day will come when Christ, in His glory, will gather all nations before Him (Matthew 25:32-33). You will see many servants among the sheep and many masters among the goats; likewise, many masters among the sheep and many servants among the goats. Not all servants are virtuous—this should not be misconstrued from our earlier comfort offered to them—nor are all masters evil, as we have sought to temper the pride of the masters. There are righteous masters who believe, and unrighteous ones; likewise, there are godly servants who are faithful and those who are wicked. While good servants are subject to unjust masters, they must practice patience for a season. God will not allow the dominion of the wicked to persist over the share of the righteous. Why is this? So that the righteous do not stoop to unrighteousness, enduring the temporary authority of the wicked to prepare themselves for their eternal inheritance.

Thus, the psalmist proclaims: "Do good, O Lord, to those who are upright in heart" (Psalm 124:4). This pertains to those whose hearts are true, those who pursue God’s will instead of their own. Those desiring to follow God must allow Him to lead, following not themselves but Him. Let them discover goodness in all circumstances, whether through chastisement or consolation, for as the Apostle affirms, "We know that all things work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28).

In those times, He ascended to the mountain to engage in prayer, spending the entire night in communion with the Father (Luke 6:12). Not every individual who prays truly ascends the mountain; some prayers are marred by sin (cf. Psalm 108:7). However, one who prays earnestly for righteousness elevates their spirit from the mundane to the highest realms, reaching the pinnacle of divine honor (cf. Psalm 23:3). Those consumed by earthly wealth, societal positions, or desires for others’ belongings do not embark on this ascent. The one who yearns for God and seeks His guidance on the path of life is the true ascender.

The Lord encircles His people like mountains encompass a city. Just as the mountains provide protection, so too does God's care envelop the righteous. His power is not fleeting but everlasting, granted to those who cherish their service to Him.

The Lord surrounds His people, as do the mountains that encircle them, from this time forth and forevermore. The earthly city of Jerusalem, though flawed and transient, finds both fortitude and security in the elevations that protect it, along with divine assistance from the Lord, which, as Chrysostom stated, constitutes the highest and most genuine safeguard. Consequently, the residents of Jerusalem shall remain steadfast until the appointed time designated by God for its redemption. Origen expresses that the mountains encircling Jerusalem represent celestial powers. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who revere Him, and the Lord Himself is present among His people. Thus, the assembly of the Lord is distinct from those who fear Him.

The preceding statement is validated by the fact that Mount Zion stands firm, encircled by other mountains; even more steadfast are those who place their trust in the Lord. While Zion is fortified by surrounding hills, those who faithfully hope in the Lord are encompassed by the presence of the Almighty Himself. The mountains that guard Zion may tumble and be likened to mere earth, yet the Lord will forever be near His people without end. Thus, those who place their hope in the Lord must exemplify trustworthiness, as He shields them from all harm. Even when they face momentary trials, these experiences are ultimately transformed for their benefit.

This hymn reflects the era when Israel was situated in the holy land, embodying the faith and commandments, yet simultaneously enduring severe oppression from the unrighteous. It is widely recognized that this corresponds to the period when the construction of the temple was halted, as the wickedness of the Samaritans and the authority of the Gentiles over Palestine felt overwhelmingly oppressive. Some among the Jewish people were even tempted to adopt the beliefs and practices of the Samaritans and the Gentiles. The Psalmist, brimming with hope, proclaims that Israel, which predominantly maintains its faith and trust in God, stands as firmly as Mount Zion; consequently, its adversaries are as unlikely to displace it as Zion itself.

The blessed prophet encourages those journeying towards the eternal homeland to place their complete trust in God, who is omnipotent and steadfast, never abandoning those who rely on Him. He recalls Mount Zion in light of the sacred mysteries of Christ the Lord that transpired there and were revealed to the faithful as an unshakeable assurance. Zion represents the Church of Christ, depicted as an unyielding mountain alongside its faithful followers; Christ the Lord has established it so that even the gates of hell shall not conquer it. The mountains of the Church—prophets, apostles, and other saints—along with the Lord, shield all believers from both visible and invisible foes. Additionally, the heavenly hosts, including Angels, Seraphim, Cherubim, and Thrones, protect the righteous.

The hills encircle Jerusalem, just as the Lord envelops His people from now and forevermore. Just as the mountains provide a barrier against adversaries, so too are the faithful safeguarded by their Lord. The Israelites find refuge behind Him, akin to being shielded by an unyielding wall of stone. The Apostle Peter felt a similar sense of reassurance on Mount Tabor when he proclaimed to Jesus Christ, ‘It is good for us to be here’ (Matthew 17:4).