A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
3 God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.
4 For behold, the kings assembled,
They passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marveled;
They were troubled, and hasted away.
6 Fear took hold of them there,
And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs.
7 As when You break the ships of Tarshish
With an east wind.
8 As we have heard,
So we have seen
In the city of the Lord of hosts,
In the city of our God:
God will establish it forever. Selah
9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness,
In the midst of Your temple.
10 According to Your name, O God,
So is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let Mount Zion rejoice,
Let the daughters of Judah be glad,
Because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion,
And go all around her.
Count her towers;
13 Mark well her bulwarks;
Consider her palaces;
That you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this is God,
Our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide
Even to death.
The Greatness of God in Zion
Psalm 48 bursts forth with a song of exultation, a vibrant celebration of God’s greatness and the unshakable security found in His presence. This psalm, penned by the sons of Korah, invites us to stand in awe of the Lord, whose majesty fills the city of Zion, His holy mountain. It’s a call to lift our eyes to the heights of God’s glory, to see His city not just as a physical place but as a spiritual reality—a place where His presence dwells, offering refuge, joy, and eternal stability to all who seek Him. As we delve into this sacred text, we uncover a timeless truth: God is our refuge, our strength, and our eternal guide, and His city stands as a beacon of hope for all generations.
The psalm opens with a resounding declaration: “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.” These words set the tone for the entire psalm, inviting us to marvel at the Lord’s greatness. The city of God, Mount Zion, is not merely a geographical location but a symbol of His divine presence. It’s described as “beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,” a place that radiates God’s glory and draws the hearts of all who encounter it. This imagery stirs the soul, reminding us that God’s presence elevates us above the chaos of the world, offering a beauty that transcends the temporal and touches the eternal. For every believer, Zion represents the place where we meet God, where His love and power transform our lives.
As the psalm continues, we see God’s protective power at work. The kings of the earth assemble, perhaps with intent to conquer, but they are struck with awe and fear at the sight of Zion. They marvel, they tremble, and they flee in haste. This vivid scene speaks to the overwhelming might of God, who needs no army to defend His city. His presence alone is enough to scatter His enemies, like ships broken by a mighty east wind. What a comfort this is for us today! In a world filled with uncertainty and conflict, we can rest in the assurance that God is our refuge. No force can stand against Him, and those who trust in Him are held secure in His unyielding strength.
The psalmist reflects on this divine protection, saying, “As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord of hosts.” This line bridges the gap between faith and experience. The stories of God’s faithfulness, passed down through generations, are not mere legends—they are confirmed by what the psalmist and his people have witnessed. God’s promises are true, His power is real, and His city stands forever. This truth resonates deeply for us. How often do we hear of God’s goodness in Scripture or through the testimonies of others, only to see it manifest in our own lives? Every answered prayer, every moment of divine provision, every glimpse of His grace confirms that He is the same God yesterday, today, and forever. His faithfulness is not a distant hope but a present reality, anchoring us in every storm.
In the heart of the psalm, we find a moment of quiet reflection: “We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.” Here, the tone shifts from triumphant praise to intimate meditation. The temple, the place of God’s dwelling, becomes a space to ponder His steadfast love. This lovingkindness—God’s covenantal, unchanging love—is the foundation of Zion’s joy. It’s a reminder that God’s greatness is not cold or distant but deeply personal. He loves us with a love that never fails, a love that invites us to draw near and find rest in His presence. For all people, regardless of time or place, this truth offers hope. Whether we face trials, doubts, or moments of weakness, God’s lovingkindness surrounds us, lifting us into His embrace.
The psalmist declares that God’s praise reaches “to the ends of the earth” because His name is great and His right hand is full of righteousness. This global vision of worship reminds us that God’s glory is not confined to one city or one people. His righteousness, His justice, and His love are for all. Mount Zion rejoices, and the daughters of Judah are glad because of God’s judgments—His righteous acts that bring order and peace. This joy is contagious, inviting every heart to join in the celebration of a God who is both mighty and merciful. In our own lives, we are called to reflect this joy, to let our lives sing of His goodness, and to share His love with a world in need of hope.
The psalm closes with a call to action: “Walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers; mark well her bulwarks; consider her palaces.” This is an invitation to explore the beauty and strength of God’s city, to marvel at its defenses and its glory. But it’s more than a physical tour—it’s a spiritual journey. We are urged to examine the foundations of our faith, to see the strength of God’s promises, and to tell the next generation of His faithfulness. This is a charge for all of us: to live lives that testify to God’s greatness, to pass on the stories of His love, and to build a legacy of faith for those who come after us. God is our guide, not just for today but “even to death” and beyond, into eternity. His presence is our home, and His love is our eternal inheritance.
In a world often shrouded in deception and darkness, Psalm 48 calls us to choose a different path. The father of lies offers fleeting illusions, but God offers truth—unchanging, radiant, and life-giving. To be a child of Truth, a TeknaTruth, is to embrace the reality of God’s love and power. It’s to walk in the light of His presence, to find refuge in His city, and to live with the joy that comes from knowing Him. Let us choose today to be children of Truth, to stand firm in the reality of God’s promises, and to shine His light in a world that desperately needs it. Let us walk about Zion, count her towers, and tell of her King, who is great and greatly to be praised.
Zion’s Eternal King
Greatness dwells in Zion’s hill—
The Lord’s own throne stands high—
His city gleams with holy light—
A joy that cannot die—
Her towers rise, her walls endure—
No foe can breach her gate—
God’s presence guards her sacred courts—
His love will never abate—
Though kings may gather, schemes devise—
Their might dissolves in fear—
The Lord of hosts with breath alone—
Makes shadows disappear—
His lovingkindness fills the heart—
In temple courts we stand—
His righteousness a guiding star—
His truth a steady hand—
Walk Zion’s paths, her strength behold—
Her story ever tell—
To generations yet to come—
Of God who loves so well—
Forever He will lead us on—
Through life, through death, to peace—
The King of Zion reigns supreme—
His mercies never cease—
… teknaTruth – on Psalm 48