The Psalm centres on Zion (Jerusalem) but notice that it begins and ends with God – 48:1, 14. So it is not a celebration of a place for the sake of the place, but for the sake of God who is in the place.
- Beauty and joy in Zion.
- 48:1-2. The mountain is holy because God is holy, and it is beautiful in elevation. It is said to be in the far north, which is a difficulty. Jerusalem, of course, is in the south. It may be referring to Zion as in the north of Judah, or it may be using ‘north’ in terms of ‘exalted’. Or it may be playing with the Hebrew word ‘Zaphon’ which was supposed to be the dwelling place of Baal. In terms we are more used to, it would then be saying something like ‘Mount Zion is the true Olympus’.
- These words came back to haunt God’s people – Lam.2:15. It looks ahead to a greater Zion – Gal.4:26; Heb.12:22-24; Rev.21:2.
- Safety in Zion.
- 48:3-8. Here there is security, as God protects His people. On verse 5, Calvin sees the reverse of Julius Caesar before Egypt: ‘I came, I saw, I conquered.’
- Praise in Zion.
- 48:9-11. Ambrose: ‘Keep singing the praises of the Lord, for he can smash the lion’s teeth and break his jaw to pieces.’
- An invitation to look at Zion.
- 48:12-14. The Bible likes to invite us to see for ourselves – Isa.1:18; John 1:46; Ps.34:8. ‘Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion city of our God,’ wrote John Newton.
- Luke 24:46-47.