unfoldingWord_en_tn/psa/125/001.md

# General Information:

Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])

# song of ascents

Possible meanings are 1) "song people sang while going up to Jerusalem for a celebration" or 2) "song people sang while going up the steps into the temple" or 3) "song whose words are like steps." See how you translated this in [Psalms 120:1](../120/001.md)

# Those who trust in Yahweh are like Mount Zion, unshakable, forever enduring

People who trust in Yahweh are spoken of as if they they were Mount Zion. Mountains are unable to be moved. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so Yahweh surrounds his people

Yahweh's protection is spoken of as if he was the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. Jerusalem was surrounded by several mountains, which protected it from attack. AT: "As the hills that surround Jerusalem protect it, so Yahweh protects his people" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# now and forever

Here, this phrase means "always." (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])

# The scepter of wickedness

Here the scepter of wickedness represents the rule of wicked people. AT: "Wicked people" or "Wicked rulers" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])