Saturday, December 9, 2017

Psalm 48: The Testimony Of Zion's Hill

There is an indelible link between God and His people, between heaven and earth, between the spiritual and the physical.  Many other philosophies and religions make this crucial error: they believe that the divine and human realms are completely separate and never the twain shall meet.  Judeo-Christian faith, however, consistently sees God at work in His world.

That's why the Psalmist of Psalm 48 cites as evidence of God the glory and majesty of Mount Zion (or, as I like to refer to it, Zion's Hill.)

Zion's Hill is described as the "joy of all the earth" and "the city of the great King."  Earthly rulers and opponents are terrified and put to flight when they encounter Jerusalem.  Because of God's favor resting upon that holy city, the other towns of Judah can be glad and at peace (vs. 11)

Zion's Hill is a place of joy and victory.  It is where God's steadfast love can be pondered at His temple (vs. 9).  Because of Zion's Hill, the majesty of God's name reaches the ends of the earth.  That's why God chose the Jews as His people - to be a bridge between Himself and all of humanity.

God is intricately involved in the workings of our world, and the proof of that is His relationship with His people, sustaining them and strengthening them through the ages.  Some scholars believe that means Israel; others that it means the Church.  I can see evidence of both.

And certainly at Zion's Hill (or Science Hill!), we will "tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever.  He will be our guide forever" (vs. 13-14).

No comments:

Post a Comment