Psalms 125:2

2. Mountains… round about Jerusalem Jerusalem lies close upon the watershed of the great range of mountains running from the plain of Esdraelon to the latitude of the southern limit of the Dead Sea, 2,500 feet above the sea level. Viewed from its immediate vicinity, it appears to stand on a ridge of land, the backbone of the mountain, guarded on the east, southeast, and northeast by Olivet, but apparently open on the west and north. On the west and northwest, however, at the distance of about six miles, rise the hills of Mizpeh, Ramah, and Gibeah; on the north, the bend of the ridge which connects with the Mount of Olives, (Robinson,) and on the immediate south, the hill of Evil Counsel, and farther on, the ridge which divides it from Bethlehem. Back of Olivet, in the remoter east, rise the mountains of Moab, as a guard against an eastern invasion. Thus the plain on the west and north of the city “is encompassed with a barrier of heights, which shut out the view of Jerusalem till within a very short distance of the city, and must always have acted as a defence to it,” (Stanley,) while the background of eastern mountains wholly obstruct all approach of a hostile army. These were the emblems and pledges of God’s care and defence of the homes of his ancient people the Jewish Church.