Simile. Metaphor. Hyperbole. 8th grade English. You learned about poetry, and found many methods by which a poet can get their point across to the masses. And for some reason, we decided that these methods produced beauty, images to be treasured.
We've got a pretty simple example in the above verse. Trusting in God makes you similar to Mount Zion. Why is this a good thing? Because Zion is a mountain which "cannot be shaken, but endures forever." Now science can disprove this claim with a simple explanation of tectonic plates and/or volcanoes, but that's really not the point.
And that's the thing about the Bible - it's not a science textbook. It's God's word to man, written by men over the centuries. It's a totally different kind of literature from a textbook. Yes, every word of His is true, but not the way that every word in the textbook is presumed to be true.
I mean, since when do we take similes, metaphors, and especially hyperbole seriously? I'm so hungry I could eat an elephant, right now, because I haven't had breakfast. Do you believe I could really eat an elephant? (That's a lot of meat, not to mention unethical.) Of course not! So while those who trust in God are like Mount Zion, does that make them a mountain? NO.
It makes us like mountains. Mountains are pieces of scenery and beauty that don't change. Throughout your lifetime, probably, that mountain to the south will always be there the way it is now. It's a landmark in your life. And so is trusting God. It's a spiritual landmark that can, and will help guide you if you let it. You could run to the plains of the north, but there's only uncertainty there. The mountain of trust will always be there so that you can travel in the right direction. And if you're trying to overcome fear, that right direction is towards the mountain.
Trust God. You will become immoveable - unless someone has the faith of a mustard seed, but seriously, how many mountains have you seen being tossed into the sea lately?
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