Psalm 48:2-3 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.… I. A REHEARSAL OF JEWISH HISTORY. This is necessary in order to understand the inner meaning of this psalm. Israel's history begins with Abraham. His life nomadic, wandering, a wilderness life. And so with Israel for centuries it was a forced desert experience. II. THE DIVINE PHILOSOPHY OF IT. It was to make up the longing for rest, for a settled habitation and a national life. They had learned enough to know that cities enable men to unite, to concentrate for great material purposes. Cities not only symbolized but secured possession, fixity, safety, growth, nationality. Hence their joy in Jerusalem of which this psalm is an utterance. III. AND TO ALL THIS THE CHRISTIAN LIFE CORRESPENDS. God's call separates, but ultimately unites. Let us anticipate our future in "the city of habitation." (J. McDougall.) Parallel Verses KJV: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. |
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