”I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.“
—Psalm 121:1-2
Imagine for a second with me that you’re a Hebrew in the Ancient Near East culture.
You’re moving mostly on foot, cities are well spread out, well protected, and the road between each city is filled with uncertainties.
Mountains would cause days-long detours and hills and valleys would hide all sorts of potential danger.
Mountain lions and wolves would be lurking, trying to find their next meal. Bandits would be hiding behind crevices in the rocks, looking for their next victim. Rogue warriors would be on the loose, searching for a way to survive.
When the Psalmist looks out and sees the hills, they won’t see the beautiful landscapes we’re accustomed to today as we drive in our nice, safe, and comfortable cars. They see beautiful landscapes full of potential danger and uncertainty.
The hills, although beautiful and God’s creation, represent:
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