Today’s Sermon: Psalm 48, “The Beauty and Glory of Zion” by pastor Jim Bomkamp

Prev. background of Psalm In this Psalm, the Psalmist wrote about trusting our lives completely to the Lord as our protector and provider, and ceasing to strive and scheme, fret and worry. 2. Martin Luther was thinking of this Psalm when he wrote his hymn, “A mighty fortress is our God.”. 3. The event that inspired the writing of the Psalm may have been when the angel of the Lord went out and slew 185,000 Assyrians one night

Prev Background for Psalm This Psalm spoke figuratively of the Lord during that time of Christ’s victory, after He has risen from the dead and ascended up to heaven, as well as that time when He shall come in His power to reign as king upon the earth.

Background for Psalm The Psalmist saw the glory of the Lord in the city of Jerusalem, and in its temple. 2. Consider the fact that the revelation of the Lord in the new covenant of grace and mercy is every bit as profound and amazing as the revelation of Himself under the old covenant of the Law of Moses. 3. Few today give the Lord the honor and respect that He alone deserves, and, there is likewise little godly fear and respect shown towards the body of Christ.

Psalm 48:1-2, “1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion in the far north, The city of the great King.”

Bird’s eye-view of Jerusalem in 60s

Panorama view of Jerusalem *Note the golden Dome of the Rock Islamic mosque.

Psalm 48:3-14, “3 God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold. 4 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together. 5 They saw it, then they were amazed; They were terrified, they fled in alarm. 6 Panic seized them there, Anguish, as of a woman in childbirth. 7 With the east wind You break the ships of Tarshish. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish her forever.Selah. 9 We have thought on Your lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of Your temple. 10 As is Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11 Let Mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice Because of Your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion and go around her; Count her towers; 13 Consider her ramparts; Go through her palaces, That you may tell it to the next generation. 14 For such is God, Our God forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Take time to consider the importance that you give God the glory and honor He deserves, and that includes having proper reverence and respect for His church, the body of Christ. 2. Consider often the beauty of God’s dwelling place in heaven as well as upon the earth, His throne in heaven and His throne over His church for which He is head.