I’ve been pondering Psalm 48 for more than a week now. It doesn’t read like the average psalm. The author focuses on the city of Jerusalem in relation to God.
vs 1b and 2a: …in the city of our God which sits on His holy mountain! It is high and magnificent: the whole earth rejoices to see it!
vs 8a: We had heard of the city’s glory, but now we have seen it ourselves–the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
It’s the last verse (14) that’s stayed with me the most. The author equates Jerusalem with God, “For that is what God is like.” This psalm implies that the city and the temple within show us God’s nature. They display God’s glory (vs. 1, 2), protection (vs. 3-7), unfailing love (vs. 9), and eternal power (vs. 14). In that day, Jerusalem was a tangible vision of God.
If I were writing a psalm like this now, what would I substitute for Jerusalem?
I tried to imagine how I would write this psalm today. What would be the glorious thing that showed God’s nature? Well, it’s us–the body of Christ throughout the world.
I Corinthians 3:16,17: Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys the temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
I wondered what unchurched people think when they look on the corporate church. Aside from the spiritual reasons the church is not liked, we also don’t put forward a good impression. John 13:35 says we will be known by our love for one another. I don’t think that’s what the outside world sees.
I can’t look at everyone. I can only examine myself.
As I continued to ponder, I realized that I’m not qualified to judge the body of Christ nor am I any position to affect it. Then my thoughts fell on me, where they should have landed in the first place. Am I a shining, magnificent example of God’s nature? When people look at me do they see His glory and power?
Because I have the spiritual gift of encouragement, I think I show His grace and love when interacting with others. But how do I display his power? Finally, it occurred to me. Whenever I share my testimony, whenever I show others my transformed life, whenever I tell of the great things He has done–I display his power.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
In order to be a tangible vision of God, I not only need to show God’s attributes, but I also need to be shouting His greatness from the rooftops. To be honest, that part is not my strength. Sure, I can talk all day to believers, but to non-believers–scary. I’m not sure what that would look like in my daily life. However, I’m committed to finding out.
Psalm 48
1 How great is the Lord,
how deserving of praise,
in the city of our God,
which sits on his holy mountain!
2 It is high and magnificent;
the whole earth rejoices to see it!
Mount Zion, the holy mountain,
is the city of the great King!
3 God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers,
revealing himself as its defender.
4 The kings of the earth joined forces
and advanced against the city.
5 But when they saw it, they were stunned;
they were terrified and ran away.
6 They were gripped with terror
and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.
7 You destroyed them like the mighty ships of Tarshish
shattered by a powerful east wind.
8 We had heard of the city’s glory,
but now we have seen it ourselves—
the city of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
It is the city of our God;
he will make it safe forever. Interlude
9 O God, we meditate on your unfailing love
as we worship in your Temple.
10 As your name deserves, O God,
you will be praised to the ends of the earth.
Your strong right hand is filled with victory.
11 Let the people on Mount Zion rejoice.
Let all the towns of Judah be glad
because of your justice.
12 Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem.
Walk around and count the many towers.
13 Take note of the fortified walls,
and tour all the citadels,
that you may describe them
to future generations.
14 For that is what God is like.
He is our God forever and ever,
and he will guide us until we die.
All verses from the New Living Translation and copied from Bible Gateway.
Six5mom 
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