"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
Part 1
This psalm was written for the sons of Korah and was meant to be sung by the choirs of Israel in their worship, and perhaps even used for an exceptional service, maybe also the dedication of the Temple as some suggest. These words have found their way into a gospel chorus we sing as well. What do these words mean?
“Great is the LORD,”
Jehovah is great, He is the God that is “high and lifted up.” He is the self-existent One, above all. He is powerful and glorious, unlike the frail gods of men’s invention on earth. He showed Himself to be powerful in the lives of His people Israel, time and time again. And we who know Him can attest to His power in our lives through the years. Yes, He is great!
“And greatly to be praised.”
Jehovah alone is worthy of praise! “He should be praised according to his greatness; no common praise is suited to the nature and dignity of the Supreme God.”1 He deserves our uncommon, extraordinary praise. These praises are directed to God and tell about Him. Be careful that “our praises” in our testimonies do not make us look like the heroes, for God is the one deserving of all praise.
“In the city of our God,”
Jehovah chose the city of Jerusalem to be the place of His abode and where He was to be worshipped by Israel. The Temple was appointed there. This is “the city of our God.”
“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High,” (Psalm 46:4).
“In the mountain of his holiness.”
Jehovah’s Temple was built upon Mount Moriah, His holy mountain. This is where Abraham went to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice to the LORD. Isaac asked about the lamb for the sacrifice, and Abraham told him, “my son God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering…” (Genesis 22:8). And millennia later, God provided His own Son to die for man’s sin, in that same area. This area is also known as Mount Zion.
Come back tomorrow for Sing to the Great King (Part 2).
1. Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.