Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 48

Psalm 48 speaks of the great city of God, Jerusalem, and the surrounding area of Mount Zion. Again, we see in the Old Testament, an historical perspective and a spiritual one. This is a millennial psalm which speaks of the final victory of the great Messiah when He returns.

Cities today like to tout themselves as they compete for tourism and to draw in people to live there. Recently, cities like St. Louis, have been labeled dangerous places to live. Cities take the media critiques seriously. But the area called Zion has one special claim none other can make.

Psalm 48:1-3

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.  Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

The City of God is where God has made Himself known as a fortress.

The salvation of the world came from out of Zion and it is a city for all eternity.

Psalm 48:8
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

Yes, there is a literal city called Jerusalem. But to those who live by faith in Christ, there is a spiritual Zion and every Christian is a citizen of that Jerusalem. God’s people are the Temple now, and through the Holy Spirit, God takes up residence within the heart of every true Christian. (See 1 Corinthians 3:16) When we dwell with God, we are safe. And that is an eternal promise. This is the reason Christians can live in joy no matter what the circumstances of life might bring.

Psalm 48:9-11
We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.  As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with

righteousness.  Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!

God’s people, the Jews, found victory from the Assyrians, as this psalm alludes to. And we can know that God is also providing victory to us as we dwell in the spiritual Zion today and in the eternal Coty of God.

Psalm 48:12-14

 Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.

He will guide us forever. He is our protection but we must dwell within His city. His spiritual city. We must dwell with Jesus.