Psalm 48: Secure City

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, 2 beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. 3 Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress. 4 For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. 5 As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.

6 Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. 7 By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah
 
9 We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple. 10 As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments! 12 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation 14 that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.
 
Meditation
Ancient Jerusalem was the greatest city of its’ day because God made it His dwelling place. Celebrating the Lord’s protection of Jerusalem (2 Kings 18), the Lord is praised for the promise of His eternal protection of where He is pleased to dwell. 
 
The key verse is the primary theme: The city of God is secured forever by God (8). The great city was the “joy of all the earth” because God had “made Himself known as a fortress” (1-3). Great armies sought to sack the ancient city but God destroyed the kings (4-7) and is praised forever (9-11) because of the security of His steadfast love (12-14). Generation to generation are called to sing in celebration of God’s protection of the people with whom He is pleased to dwell.
 
Jesus Christ is God who dwelled among His people, making the hearts of believers His home through His Holy Spirit (John 14:23). The Church is God’s dwelling place, a people Jesus promises to secure against the armies of Hell through His victory on the cross (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 2:15). God provides protection for His people, armor to defend against the real enemy (Ephesians 6:10-24), until Jesus consummates His kingdom through His new Jerusalem comes to earth- the eternal city where God will forever dwell with His people (Revelation 22). Christians join Abraham in seeking the city to come (Hebrews 11:10), “straining forward” in faith by celebrating our citizenship in Heaven (Philippians 3:13; 4:11).
 
The people of God are secured forever by God because we will forever dwell with God!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially the promised security of God for the place where God is pleased to dwell?
 
-If you are a Christian, do you celebrate security in God’s promised protection? Why or why not?
 
-How does the work of Jesus secure His dwelling with you and strengthen your faith in His promises to protect you? Where (specifically) do you need to apply this real hope?
 
Key Verse
8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah
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