The Message of the Hills


The precious things of the everlasting hills.--Deut. 33: 15.

The prophets and poets of the Bible felt the attraction and challenge of the mountains. To them, the hills symbolized the strength and majesty of God. The mountains spoke to them of God's power and peace, and reminded them of the permanence of His goodness and mercy. Thus they become sacramental; not so much piles of earth and stone as expressions of the inner mind and soul of God. It was this conception that moved Moses to speak of “the precious things of the everlasting hills.” This conception appears repeatedly in the Psalms. “The strength of the hills is His also” (95: 4). “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help; my help cometh from the Lord” (121: 1-2). “The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, in righteousness” (72: 3).

The consciousness of God, the knowledge of His righteousness, the assurance of His abiding loving kindness, the experience of the truth, mercy and grace of God, the sense of the Eternal--these are “the precious things of the everlasting hills.” These high truths can deeply move us, restrain us, inspire us. They guarantee our utmost salvation, and nothing else can.

Take, as an illustration, the saying, “The mountains shall bring peace to the people.” Peace originates in strength and loftiness; elevation is the condition of power and calm. Only as we transcend our troubles can we master them and be at peace. Peace amid the frustrations of daily life, is possible only as the soul is uplifted and invigorated by the strength of the heavenly hills. Lifting up our eyes unto the hills, we are lifted up, and the peace and quiet of the hills possess our minds and hearts.

If you would become oblivious of earthly annoyances and irritations, and be able to live in this tumultuous world with a placid temper, lift up your eyes unto “the precious things of the everlasting hills.”

These precious things are all in your Bible. Walk out of the great chapters of the Bible into daily life, and you will be astonished at the strength and peace which garrison your soul