Thought for the day – Psalm 48

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Psalm 48

1 A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. 2 It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. 3 God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

4 When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, 5 they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. 6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labour. 7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure for ever. Selah

9 Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. 10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.

12 Walk about Zion, go round her, count her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

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Psalm 48
‘Great is the LORD’

(Verses 1-3) Long before any other religion stated it, God’s word in the Old Testament said, ‘Great is the LORD.’ He is great in His character, His eternality, His power, His wisdom, His holiness, His justice, His love, and His compassion. Because of how great God is, the Temple on Mount Zion is also holy. Because the Temple is holy where God appears, Mount Zion is also revered as holy. All real and true blessing come back to God as its only Source. That is why, through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are blessed with sins forgiven, peace with God, and a home in Heaven. We go right back to the Source when we turn from sin and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. He was nailed to that cross, bearing our sins and their punishment, so the way is open to us to come to and trust in Him. Almighty God’s greatness also is known in that He is a ‘fortress’ or a ‘refuge’ for sinners to hide in. Shelter there too. Repent of your sins. Come to Christ. Rest confidently in Him!

(Verses 4-8) Various nations attempted invasion and failed. Here we read of one hostile invading army. As their forces advanced on Jerusalem, they were shocked and terrified and fled away in terror, because the God of Jerusalem protected His Jerusalem. They were ‘sunk’ as if a mighty sea tempest shattered and swamped a trading fleet of ships, when driven by the east wind. The LORD God Almighty protected His city from those against it and against Him. One day, in God’s timetable, physical Jerusalem did fall, but His ‘new Jerusalem’ of Revelation 21, is God’s eternally secure Heaven coming to the ‘new earth’. There those redeemed from sin by the shed blood of Jesus will enjoy God forever. Trust Jesus now, and you will be there rejoicing then!

(Verses 9-13) Consider, if you do know God through faith in Jesus, how to think about God when praising Him. You may be in a building, (like a ‘temple’), or in your own body indwelt by Jesus through the Holy Spirit and therefore called ‘the temple of the Holy Spirit’. Mediate on: His unfailing love; the wonder of His name; His world-wide praise; He is righteous; whether on a holy mountain, or in humble villages, consider His deep judgments; look around and see His greatness; tell future generations about Him.

(Verse 14) Just look what a great God you can get to know and get to know better through daily reading the Bible, praying and hearing His word taught! He is yours ‘for ever and ever’. He is your Guide throughout life. And Heaven awaits you!