Psalms 48
Psalms 48:1-14 (NLT)
1 A song. A psalm of the descendants of Korah. 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.
To gain the full impact of our safety in God, magnifying where He is and what He has established transforms every perspective. Declaring His majesty, impenetrable defenses, and reputation among the nations causes His undefeated greatness to grow in personal embracing worship. The greater He is seen to be, the more effectively safe we are in Him, not only in times of tempest but also in the soul until they have settled into peace. Where He abides says so much about Him – in this place that is our hearts, but also in this city that is repeatedly noted, a place of eternal safety where we have a place secured in Christ. Magnifying it – so comforting.