Psalm 48 – The presence of God and our security

Psalm 48 together with Psalms 46 and 47 form a trilogy of songs that share the same theme of triumph. The authorship is again attributed to the sons of Korah. In this composition, the Psalmist praised God and the magnificence of Jerusalem, the city of God. He emphatically said that God had delivered her from her enemies. Verses 4-8 described her enemies that came against her being defeated. And how God had established this city forever. In verses 9-14, we see the people of Jerusalem praising God for His marvelous deliverance. More than praising the city, the Psalmist is praising the God of the city, for He is the deliverer of the city, who alone deserves all the accolades.  

The song began by proclaiming that God is great and is to be praised greatly. Then quickly, the song describes the beauty of Jerusalem and calls it the dwelling place of God. It is located on Mount Zion, beautifully situated. Jerusalem, also referred to as Mount Zion in the Bible, is the symbol of God’s presence. In Hebrews, the author of that book refers to the Church as Mount Zion and Jerusalem, the city of the living God (Hebrews 12:22). Jerusalem and Zion is not just a picture of the church in the midst of the world, it is also a symbol of the church that is at rest.  

How is the church compared to Jerusalem? The city of Jerusalem is high in elevation because it is located on a range of mountains or hills. The church is elevated because Jesus, the Son of God, is the Rock on which the church is founded. And He had promised that the gates of hades shall not prevent her advancement. It implies that spiritually, the church is highly elevated. Furthermore the church, like Jerusalem, is glorious. It is the place for the holy habitation of God. As Jerusalem was preserved and defended by God, Jesus Christ is the preserver and defender of the church.  

Jerusalem and Zion are physical locations where God is said to dwell. The church is the New Jerusalem, the assembly of the first born, who are enrolled for heaven. It is here that we find our security. It is here that the author of the epistles of Hebrews said that we have come to “…God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.” Where else can life be better than being a citizen of the New Jerusalem.  Oh, how we ought to emulate the daughters of Zion and triumphantly proclaim God and praise Him forever! Amen!