Beautiful Elevation – Psalm 48

Yahweh has made Jerusalem His capital and the location of His temple.  That is why the psalmists often give Him praise and rejoice in His holy city.  It is literally and figuratively elevated above the other cities of Israel.

A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God!  His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.  Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.  As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.  Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.  By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.  As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah

We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.  As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth.  Your right hand is filled with righteousness.  Let Mount Zion be glad!  Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!

Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever.  He will guide us forever.  (Psalm 48 ESV)

The Bible is an account of a historical people, Israel, who have been given promises that include a land, the land of Israel.  And Jerusalem is its capital since the days of David.  When Israel is in covenant with Yahweh, He is their protector from Jerusalem and this psalm gives praise to His place of rule and protection, and to Him.  It will be like this once more on the day Jesus comes to take its throne (Zechariah 14; Revelation 20).