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Psalms 48:1-8  
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. 

Old Testament worshipers held a special place in their hearts for the “city of our God,” Jerusalem. “In Jerusalem,” God said, “I will put my Name” (2 Kings 21:4). The city was a source of pride, joy, and worship. 

Jerusalem is first mentioned in Genesis when Abraham met a king named Melchizedek (Gen.14:18). At that time the city was called Salem. By David’s time the city was a fortress city known as Jebus. David captured Jebus and turned it into his capital, giving the city it’s current name that means “Abode of Peace.” Jerusalem is built on Mt. Zion about 2,500 feet above sea level. While the city has experienced its share of devastation, it has been inhabited continually for more than five thousand years.

The significance of the city does not stop in the Old Testament. God gives heaven itself the name “new Jerusalem.” John writes in Revelation that it is a city “coming down out of heaven from God.” So the psalmist can rightly say, “As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.”

Father, thank You for the promise of heaven, the new Jerusalem. Thank You for the promise of a final home that is secure forever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.