The City of God is a physical place. It is also a futuristic city. This psalm is about the city of God, how others react to it and what it provides.
Commentary:
Psalm 48:1. Jerusalem is the city of God. Geographically, it sits on the hill. The New Testament prophesizes a heavenly Jerusalem coming in the end. The subject of praise in this psalm is likely the earthly city Jerusalem at the time of Solomon. It should be Solomon’s time because it was the apex of Israel. Moreover, at David’s time, although the military was equally strong, there was no huge palace in the city yet. Solomon built the temple and the palaces. Since verse 13 mentions palaces, it was likely the Solomon’s time.
Psalm 48:2-3. The city has many positives. Beautiful and great rulers are mentioned. But the most important reason is that God is in her midst.
Psalm 48:4-6. Upon seeing the city, the foreign kings had a range of emotions. Ranging from amazement to fear and from panic to pain, the kings knew that the city would be established forever.
Psalm 48:8. Never had a nation been hated by so many different people. Hitler wanted to extinguish Jews in WWII. Now the Arabs and Persians desire to push Israel into the sea. But God would establish the Jews forever.
Psalm 48:9-14. The psalmist declares the lovingkindness of God. The covenantal love is seen through the establishment of the city. It is the law of the city and the structures that shows how Great God is.
Meditation:
The Jews could see the lovingkindness of God through the city that God has established. They were prompted to examine the physical structures and markers of the city. They were also reminded of the judgment and righteousness found in their midst.
In the same way, we need to check out how God has blessed us. We can look at some physical parameters. Things like wealth, health, miracles, and deliverance. They show us how much God has provided for us. We can also look at the spiritual markers. Things like maturity, emotional health, wisdom, and discernment. They show us how much God has put into our lives.
In response to the establishment of our life, we should also give praises to God. We should give great praises.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, you are the great King in the City of God. We pray for Jerusalem and that the Jews can see how you have provided Jesus the Messiah for them. We pray for its peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.