https://esv.literalword.com/?q=psalm+48
Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Sunday, 1 December 2024:
Psalm 48:1-3 — 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.
The psalmist is praising the Lord by considering how He has demonstrated Himself and blessed His people through the works He had done on Mount Zion and Jerusalem, which is to the north of Mount Zion. Here is some more information about the importance of Mount Zion — https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-mount-zion-and-why-is-it-so-important.html
As the psalmist considers wonders of Jerusalem, he begins with the praises of God and his greatness (Psalm 48:1), and ends with the praises of God and his goodness, Psalm 48:14. We must learn to see everything around us and everything which happens to us from the perspective of God’s greatness and goodness. All sin starts with a failure to fully appreciate God’s greatness and goodness. Godliness, on the other hand, embraces and acts upon the reality of God’s greatness and goodness with joy, confidence, and wholehearted obedience. We must practice seeing things correctly, in part, by making prayer, praise, gratitude, celebration, rejoicing, meditation upon God’s word, and worship (both individual and corporate) constant habits.
“Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.” The psalmist reminds the reader that the hope of God’s people isn’t in their walls, military might, economics, education system, or culture but rather within God Himself, His will, and His providence. No human power can overcome the power of God or thwart His will for His people.
- Psalm 127:1 — Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
Psalm 48:4-8 — 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.
Most scholars believe Psalm 48 doesn’t recount a single specific battle, but rather celebrates the city of Jerusalem as a symbol of God’s love, protection and power, potentially alluding to events like the defeat of Sennacherib’s army against Jerusalem during the reign of Hezekiah (as described in 2 Kings 19), and/or the miraculous defeat of the Assyrian-led coalition in 2 Chronicles 20. God can instantly wipe away the mightiest kings and nations like great storms can destroy the mightiest ships at sea (ships of Tarshish). Similarly, God remains sovereign over all your circumstances and relationships. When dealing with hard times and hard people, as mentioned above, start and conclude your thinking with recognition and appreciation that God is great (completely sovereign and in control) and good (is acting out of His perfectly loving and just nature). Remember Romans 8:28-29). As a Christian, it isn’t happening to you; it is happening for you; and if it isn’t working for you, it is working on you as the refiner’s fire, purifying your character into Christlikeness. Trust and obey without gratitude, not grumbling.
Psalm 48:9-13 — 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….
Take a look around and consider how richly blessed you are, despite the challenges you might be experiencing right now. Take time to truly reflect on the greatness and goodness of God. Number your towers; in other words, count your many blessings; rejoice, and be glad! Make worship of the Lord a top priority in your life. Give Him the praise He deserves and rejoice in Him. Joyfulness and gratitude are both choices and habits which must be practiced in order to live increasingly joyfully and gratefully, which is why Paul said, if you don’t “feel” very joyful, “Rejoice in the Lord [anyway and] always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand [It is unreasonable to be unjoyful and anxious considering God’s greatness and goodness]; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [Replace your anxiety with prayer, but not just prayer, thankful prayers; it is hard to be thankful and anxious simultaneously] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” [Unshakable and indescribable peace comes from learning to rest in the greatness and goodness of God.] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” In addition to learning the habits of prayer, joy, and thankfulness, you must also practice the habit of filtering, removing negative, ungodly influences and thoughts from your life.
Psalm 48:13, 14 — Tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever.
Sing praises to God today for salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and for His continued provision. And share with others the truth of the Gospel, particularly with your children. One of our greatest responsibilities is to pass our knowledge of God to the next generation. (Psalm 48:13, 14) Let your joy through all circumstances be your testimony to them of God’s perfect providence.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 1 December 2024: Today, practice being reasonable, responding to all your circumstances and relationships from the perspective of God’s greatness and goodness, always thankful, always peaceful, and always joyful, with no anxiety or discontentment. Remember, practice means you won’t always get it right, but the more you make the conscientious effort, the better you will get at it until it becomes second nature.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 