As for those that turn aside into crooked ways,
Jehovah shall destroy them, with all the workers of iniquity.
Peace be upon Israel!—Ps. cxxv.
When they had proceeded about two sabbath-days’ journies, or a little more, from Bethlehem, they approached the [grave of Rachel].[[103]] At another time this place of the rest of Jacob’s beloved wife, the hardly earned recompense of his labours, might have produced some melancholy emotions, but now such thoughts were banished by the universal joy. Helon remarked to Elisama, that this was not the time of which their prophet had spoken: “In Rama was heard a voice, lamentation and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children.”[[104]] “May it be always so with the children of Israel,” replied Elisama.
The eager haste of the multitudes now increased with every step, and their impatience for the first sight of Jerusalem was expressed in the following psalm:
Great is the Lord; and greatly to be praised
The mountain of his holiness in the city of our God.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole land
Is mount Zion, on the north of the city of the great King.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge,