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In Salem also is his covert, and his dwelling place in Zion (comp. Jeremiah 25:38, "He hath forsaken his covert as the lion"). The poetical figure is the likening of God to a lion - the Lion of the tribe of Judah" -who leaves his covert in Salem, and his lair in Zion, to spoil the enemy. There is now evidence that the holy city was known as Salem long before the time of Joshua, but the special Divine association with it dates from the time when David brought back the ark, and found for it a resting place in the new tabernacle on Mount Zion. That ark was the symbol of abiding Divine presence. The poet can only liken the sudden and overwhelming destruction of the Assyrian army to the springing of a lion on his prey. Then it was easy to conceive of the holy place at Jerusalem as the den or covert where the lion abode, and out of which he sprang. In treating such poetical figures, we should remember that Easterns allowed themselves a freer poetical licence than we do; and we should treat their extravagant figures with great care and becoming reverence. First recall to mind that God is everywhere present. We must never prison the thought of God to any time or any place. "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" (Isaiah 66:1). But, keeping that as our primary thought of God, we may realize helpful associations of God with places and persons.

I. GOD MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS THE GOD OF A NATION. "Elohim" for all the world, God was "Jehovah" for Israel - by virtue of special relations and revelations, the "God of Israel." So there is a proper sense in which God may be spoken of as the "God of England;" and we rightly realize the unique relations in which he stands to us. Impress that effective education of the rising race includes the teaching of this special relation of God to our nation.

II. GOD MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS THE GOD OF A BUILDING. In the wilderness we read of "God's tabernacle;" in the later history we read of God's "dwelling place in Zion." So now we properly speak of God's house," and understand certain buildings to be consecrated to him. There he is pleased to manifest himself.

III. GOD MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS THE GOD OF A PERSON. God was, in a sense, in Moses, with Moses. God's Spirit dwelt "without measure" in Christ. Still God works through his ministers, making of them his earthly dwelling place.

IV. GOD MAY BE THOUGHT OF AS THE GOD OF A SYMBOL. As in the Shechinah-cloud, and as in the Holy Sacrament. God is everywhere. God is here. - R.T.

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KJV: In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion.

WEB: His tabernacle is also in Salem; His dwelling place in Zion.