Chapter (53) 54: Writings [1] A song of ascents; I will lift up my eyes to the mountains. From where does my help come? (Psalm 121:1) May God send your help from the Sanctuary [and support you from Zion]. (Psalm 20:3) When the Holy One, blessed be He, comes to redeem Israel, He will only redeem them from Zion, because the entire world is included from there, as it is written, "From Zion, perfection of beauty, God shines forth." (Psalm 50:2) When will this happen?
"And his feet shall stand on that day upon the Mount of Olives." (Zechariah 14:4) And Israel will say, "I will lift up my eyes," etc. (Psalm 121:1) "And the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations." (Zechariah 14:3) Therefore, it is said, "May God send your help from the Sanctuary," and therefore the Holy Spirit cries out and says, "Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!" (Psalm 14:7) [2] Another interpretation: "A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains..." (Psalms 121:1) This refers to the time when Jacob fled from Laban, and he went and settled in the mountains. Laban pursued him and caught up with him, as it says, "And Laban caught up with Jacob, and Jacob pitched his tent on the mountain" (Genesis 31:25). Laban intended to kill Jacob, as Moses says, "An Aramean sought to destroy my father" (Deuteronomy 26:5).
And who was that Aramean but Laban, who sought to destroy our forefather Jacob? Jacob began saying, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains," and God apparently revealed Himself to the wicked Laban and made himself Laban's emissary in order to fulfill Jacob's needs, as it says, "And God came to Laban...and did not permit him to harm him [Jacob]" (Genesis 31:24). And Jacob was later afraid of Esau, as it says, "And Jacob was greatly afraid" (Genesis 32:8).
He said, "Whoever saved you from Laban will save you from me," as it says, "Happy are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord..." (Deuteronomy 33:29).