We all know someone who is super-talented. We often express envy and wonder why God didn’t gift us with just a small amount of the talent that person possesses. Perhaps Jews living in the era of the Psalms felt that way about the ‘sons of Korah.’ A number of the psalms are attributed specifically to this family. Why would one family have all that ability?
Whatever reason we might assign, Psalm 48 is a remarkable prayer of praise. It begins with a declaration of God’s magnificence and ends with an expression of an identification of God’s eternal nature. “Great is the LORD…this God is our God forever and ever.”
Celebrating the place God had chosen for His name to dwell (aka Jerusalem), the psalmist recalls the grandeur of the city. The greatness of the city is not measured by its people, produce, or political stature. Rather, the greatness of the city is because God makes His presence known. Though armies may gather, enemies may seek to bring devastation, the presence of God guarantees stability and peace.
What the psalmist really celebrates, though, is that God’s presence is known. Yes, Zion is the hill on which God resides, however, He is not confined to the hill called Mt Zion. The praise of God will resound to all the earth. Zion no longer stands as it did under the reign of David and Solomon. But, don’t be afraid. What God has begun He always finishes.
WINSTON COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH 