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Sunday, November 2, 2008 pm

Great Is the Lord in the City of Our God

PSALM 48

Tonight we resume our study of the psalms. We want to notice psalm that is in the midst of a group of psalms consigned to the sons of Korah. In studying many of these psalms, we have noted how they have reference to the life of David and were perhaps even written by him. Tonight we study another psalm, the origin of which we are uncertain. However, as we shall see, it is possible that it was written in later years of the reign of Judah.

This particular psalm gives a glimpse into the majesty of Zion (Jerusalem) and how the righteous revered this city because of its relationship with Jehovah God. A study of Zion is a worthwhile pursuit.

I. I. Beautiful Zion (1-3)

a. A study of Zion – reference to a hill in Jerusalem. Conquered by David and first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:7. It was a high hill that was part of Jerusalem (not where the temple was built). But eventually, it began to be used by the Hebrews to identify the entire city (of David & Solomon) and ultimately a term used by the prophets to describe the people of God. In the prophets the term often had a dual implication referring to the physical city (where the temple of God was) and looking in anticipation toward His spiritual kingdom, cf. Isa. 2:3, 62:11, etc.
In the New Testament, Zion has meaning to us as a description of the church-kingdom (Heb. 12:22) and the dwelling place of our Lord in heaven (Rev. 14:1).

b. Truly God is worthy of great praise, “in the city of our God.” (1)
That God is worthy of praise ought to be beyond dispute. This verse notes to praise Him in His city. To the Jews that meant Jerusalem and at His temple. To us, we know God is in heaven (Heb. 9:24, Matt. 6:9).
Our eternal dwelling place is described as “a city” (Heb. 11:10, 12:22, cf. Rev. 21:10ff).

c. She is beautiful – in elevation. (2) This would apply not only to her physical appearance, but even more to her history and standing in the eyes of God. The city as these brethren reflected upon it had a rich, spiritual history. The KJV says, “Beautiful in situation.”

d. Within the city, God is our refuge or stronghold. One reason God is to be praised.
Again this is an acknowledgement that God is there.
But not only is He there, He is KNOWN or acknowledged. The success and significance of Jerusalem was attributed to God by His people.
He is known in His city as a refuge or One to whom one could flee for protection.
As we consider OUR God and His church – do we see Him as a refuge? Heb. 6:18, cf. Matt. 11:28-30, 1 Peter 5:7 – we can cast all our cares on Him.

II. II. The Lord Protects His City (4-8)

a. In this text some allude to a little known event found in 2 Chronicles 20 with Jehosephat as king of Judah. Jehosephat was a righteous king in Judah. He reigned approx. in the late 900s & early 800s BC for 35 years. He was a righteous king for the most part. He was also a contemporary of Ahab in Israel (who was the most wicked of its kings). During Jehosephat’s reign, there was war between Judah and surrounding nations including the Moabites and Ammonites (you may recall these were the nations that refused to let Israel pass through in the wilderness as they journeyed toward the Promised Land - ) Jehosephat goes to God and asks for His help in deliverance reminding God of these nation’s deeds against Israel (see vs. 5-12) and God’s promises. This passage is a good example of faith in approaching God. Through the prophet Jahaziel Jehosephat is granted his request and instructed to gather his army and go toward them, BUT he is told there will be no need to fight because God would deliver them. The rest of the text (20:20-24) records how the enemies were ambushed (not by Israel) and how they defeated each other. Judah then goes and gathers great spoil and praises God.

b. Our text could very easily be descriptive of this battle or other times when God delivered His people, but let us briefly notice its various elements:

i. Kings assembled together (against God’s people) (4)

ii. But they flee in defeat and fear from God (5-7)

iii. God is praised for His deliverance (8)

c. For us: I am again reminded of the greatness and protection of God.
While the nature of our troubles may be different, we still face them from time to time.
We should not fear what man can do to us for God is greater – Matt. 10:28, Heb. 13:6.

III. III. Praising God in Zion (9-14)

a. Again, be reminded that Spiritual Zion (Jerusalem) is related to the church (Heb. 12:22)

b. We have thought of Your loving-kindness in the midst of Your temple (9) –
What do we think about when we assemble? Do we think at all? Or has our assembling become mere ritual? Every act of worship is designed to help us think of Him and react!
Truly God is a loving and kind God – Rom. 2:4 – it ought to lead us to repentance, Titus 3:4-6

c. According to His name, He is worthy of praise because of His righteousness (10)

Do we respect the name of God as we ought to? Psalm 113:3, “from the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised.”
Psalm 111:9, “…Holy and awesome is His name.” KJV, “Holy and reverend in His name.”
Do we treat the name of God with the respect He deserves?
Why? Because of His righteousness – Romans 3:25-26, Rom. 2:5 – seen in His judgments.

d. Let Mount Zion rejoice and be glad (11)
As we consider the goodness and righteousness of God, is there joy when we assemble? There ought to be! In God there ought to be great hope!
This verse mentions another attribute of God – His judgments, which are just.
We can take consolation in this. Man often judges with skewed thinking and not in consideration of what is righteous and best. God judges with an impeccable standard that is proven to be best IF ALL WOULD RESPECT IT. He will judge the world in righteousness – Acts 17:31.
The book of Revelation is a battle between good and evil, righteousness and unrighteousness – throughout we find the godly praise God because He judges righteously, cf. Rev. 15:4, 16:5-7, etc.

e. Walk about Zion (12-13) –
In these verses we find a call to take a look at the beautiful city. Go all around, count the towers, consider palaces, and mark her bulwarks (defensive walls). This reminds me of my need from time to time to just sit back and think about how wonderful what God has given us really is.
Considering His church – Eph. 3:10-11 – it is the manifold wisdom of God;
Phil. 4:8 tells us the types of things we are to meditate upon, etc.
Let us NEVER forget that the church belongs to God and Christ. Treat it with that reverence – that is why we must follow HIS patter in all things concerning her.
Verse 13 concludes, “that you may tell it to the generation following.”
What are we doing to ensure the next generation hears about the Lord’s church?

f. He is our guide, forever even to death (14)
As a result of all that one considers about what God has done, it moves one to an eternal dedication. An everlasting devotion, a life-long commitment. The godly back then realized what God was worthy of. DO WE? Is our devotion to God temporal or long-lasting? Are we fair weathered servants?
As Revelation 2:10 says, we need to be “faithful until death” to receive that crown of life. Rev. 14:13 says, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on…”.

When we consider the city of God, our New Jerusalem reserved in heaven for us, let us resolve to have the same attitude they had when this psalm was written. Is the city of our God great to us? Think about it!