Psalm 48: Jerusalem!

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. —Psalm 48:1, 2

Psalm 48 is one of David’s most cheerful songs.

“It celebrates Jehovah’s care of Jerusalem and the deliverance of His people from the hand of the enemy.” Jerusalem held a special place in the hearts of David and the nation.

It was the capital of Israel, but more than that, it would soon be the center of worship. Set upon the highest point of the surrounding countryside, it was the focus of pride and beauty. David described it as “the joy of the whole earth.” The importance of Mount Zion could not be underestimated in the eyes of David.

Perhaps David wrote this psalm while thinking of a location for the temple.

Because he conquered it, occupied it, rebuilt it, resided within its walls, and governed from it, Jerusalem became known as the City of David.

No enemy would attempt to conquer it (vv. 4–6), for God was watching over it and would protect it from danger (vv. 7, 8). Because God had delivered Israel in the past, there was nothing to fear for the future (v. 8). David envisioned the temple as the dwelling place of God from which His majesty and love should extend to the entire world (vv. 9, 10).

He encouraged all of Israel to come, see, and rejoice over what God had provided (vv. 9–13). It is possible David saw the New Jerusalem in vision, and this brought forth his prophetic psalm of praise for the city. The temple Solomon built is gone.

The city David and Christ knew is no more.

But a new Jerusalem will be the capital of the universe and once again the dwelling place of God on this earth. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Revelation 21:2, 3).

“Jerusalem, my happy home, / O how I long for thee! / When will my sorrows have an end, / Thy joys when shall I see?”