Golden Year's Message by Preacher Lek Aik Wee

A Devotional Study of the Psalms

GOD IS GREAT

(His Praiseworthiness Rehearsed for Posterity)

PSALM 48

Introduction

This is a psalm of thanksgiving to God. It is written to be sung as a song . This is the second occurrence after psalm 30 . When David and the Israelites brought the ark of the Lord from Baalah of Judah (Kiriath Jearim), they celebrated with songs (1 Chronicles 13:8 ). This word is also used in Nehemiah to denote songs of praise (Nehemiah 12:46 ). In this particular context, Nehemiah indicates that the music directors in the days of David and Asaph led songs of praise. In both instances, the celebration was in Mount Zion, Jerusalem, the city of our God (verse 1 ). The first before the first temple was built, the second, after the rebuilding of the second temple.

"Great is Jehovah" is the heart-felt cry of the psalmist. As we advance in years, we accumulate through our lives nuggets of God's goodness that is worthy of remembrance. It is worthy for us to record His goodness by rehearsing His works to our children so that they too may be strengthened to know of God's unfailing care.

Testimony

"Dr John Sung was already into some form of diary writing before he was born again. However, it was only after he was born again that he applied himself to do this in a disciplined fashion. He faithfully kept to this commitment despite his busy schedule of having to lead three or four services a day, which was often very tiring. When poor health took its toll, he would dictate his thoughts as someone else penned them down, right up to 18th August 1944 - the day he found eternal rest in the Lord. "These diaries are the most detailed records of my father's work and life. Between the pages are his prayers to God, his deliberations upon reading the Bible, and the testimonies of the wonderful works wrought by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the people, the preachers as well as fellow believers. They also recount the experiences of his spiritual journey and the lessons he had learnt. These are supplemented by descriptions of how his predecessors and fellow Christians had encouraged him spiritually." wrote his daughter Levi. Dr John Sung noted in his diary: "The experiences of a disciple is a 'Living Bible'. Allowing the disciple to share his or her testimony will stir our hearts to love the Lord more passionately. It is a vital link that leads to the revival of the church." [The Journal Once Lost, Extracts from the Diary of John Sung, compiled by LEVI, xix]

At every remembrance of God's goodness, we echo the words of the psalmist "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised." The psalmist highlighted three aspects of God's goodness toward His people:

(1) God's unfailing protection upon His own demands our praise (v 1-3 , 13a )

- Earthly powers always wrestle in vain against God (v 4-8 )

Psalms 48:1-3 {A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.} Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

City of our God - David conquered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:6-10 ) making it his new capital. The capital of the United Kingdom of Israel. It was of great strategic importance. It gave him not only a military location of exceptional strength but also a political position in a city that was essentially his "personal property", not subject to any of the Israelitish tribes. It was "neutral" as well: situated on a tribal border, and being associated with neither N Israel nor S Judah. David then proceeded to the most significant act of all - making it the religious capital of his nation, bringing up within its walls the Ark of the covenant (2 Samuel 6:12 ), which made Jerusalem the dwelling place of God Himself. For Jehovah had graciously condescended to come to His people in the form of the Shekinah or glory between the two cherubim on the golden plate or "mercy seat" that covered the Ark (Exodus 25:21 , 22 c.f. Numbers 7:89 ).

Beautiful for situation - Jerusalem, and in particular Mount Zion is beautiful as to its location/position (situation). It was chosen as the central location for Israel's worship of Jehovah fulfilling God's instruction to Moses for Israel in the Promised Land. This is given in Deuteronomy 12:5-6 "But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:" This city will not glorify the name of man but will be the place where God's name will dwell.

Application

Jesus said Samaritan woman at the well, in John 4:23-26 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he." Today, the witness of God is in the local church. The focus is in a pure heart of worship with a focus on God's Word. The Word of God is "a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

The mountain of His holiness - Truly, Jerusalem is located on Judean mountain range at 2500ft, consisting of a complex of five, once sharply distinguished hills. On the west and south lies the valley of Hinnom (Joshua 15:8 ), eastward is the Kidron valley. It is a city set apart, sacred where God chose to abode.

On the sides of the north - northward, lies the broader summit of Moriah, originally a threshing floor, but designated by David as the place of sacrifice and the temple mount (2 Chronicles 3:1 ). Its rocky peak, over which the altar of sacrifice was erected, may be identified as the spot which Abraham was willing to offer up his son Issac, "upon one of the mountains" of the land of Moriah (Genesis 22:2 ). The Ark of the Covenant was brought up to Mount Zion (2 Samuel 6:12-15 ) by King David with God's approval. God had chosen Jerusalem for His habitation hence it called the city of God. Mount Zion is the location which the temple of God will be built as testified by the psalmist in Psalm 132:13 "For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation." Now for thirteen centuries it has been covered by the Mohammedan shrine, the Dome of the Rock. The surrounding area is now artificially leveled off to form a roughly rectangular court, 1000ft by 1500ft, 2400ft in elevation. (Adapted from Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopaedia, Jerusalem)

City of the great King - God is not only LORD but He is also King. Israel was a theocracy. God is the ruler. Although in the time of David, it has become a monarchy, Israel was very much a people of God. They are governed by the Word of God as a testimony and witness for the living and true God. This is the admonition through Moses, Deuteronomy 4:1-2 , 7-9 "Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons." It was commited unto Israel the oracles of God, to be God's witness for true joy on this earth - the joy of whole earth.

God is known for a refuge - A masculine noun indicating a stronghold. It refers to a place naturally fortified or fortified by man: a high hill or cliff, a rock (Isaiah 33:16 , Jeremiah 48:1 ); walls built by men (Isaiah 25:12 ). It is used of God as a safe haven, a place of refuge in this psalm and elsewhere (2 Samuel 22:3 , Psalm 9:9-10 , Psalm 18:2 , Psalm 46:7-11 ). A safe place into which to run is a universal need for all creatures, including human beings. We can all remember childhood games in which there was a place where one was "safe" and could not be touched by a pursuer or opponent. "Out there" was danger, but to reach the sanctuary or haven (even if it's a circle drawn in the dust) meant security. It is a place of safety from danger, relief from stress, defense from an enemy, protection from the heat of the sun, overall security.

Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces (verse 13a ) - The bulwark is a means of protection and safety, a screen or shelter that secures against an enemy or external annoyance. The greatest enemy of man is unseen, the prince of this earth Satan and his demons. Satan is the father of lies and the great tempter. The only protection is God's Word in the power of His spirit against such unseen powers.

Hence the first thought of the psalmist as he recalled His experiences in life was God's unfailing protection.

The psalmist therefore comes to God in thanksgiving extolling and praising God, truly the LORD is great.

Application

Do we flee to God for our refuge in times of distress? We find refuge in God through the study of His Word, in prayer and in gathering for a time of worship, prayer meeting, bible study and bible camp. As we search the Scriptures, we learn the will of God for our lives. How many times we are lost with the attractions and care of this worldly life and are drowned by the pressures? Hence, the first step for the psalmist to thank God for being His refuge each time he reached an impasse in life, he could run to God for protection and solace.

Psalms 48:4-8 "For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah."

The kings of this earth marvel at the display of the glory of God. God fights Israel's battles. Israel's enemies heard and saw the power of Israel's God and are afraid and they retreated from their evil intentions. Here is a picture of God's miraculous protection of His Holy City against threatening armies. The angel of God kills 185,000 soldiers of Sennacherib king of Assyria by night.

2 Kings 19:35-36 "And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh."

As of a woman in travail - This comparison is often used in the Scriptures to denote the severest kind of pain (Jeremiah 4:31 , 6:24 , 13:21 , 22:23 , 30:6 , 49:24 , Micah 4:9-10 , Isaiah 53:11 .) [Barnes]

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish - The allusion to these ships here may have been to illustrate the power of God; the ease with which he destroys that which man has made. The ships so strong as to their size and far-voyaging capability - the ships made to navigate distant seas, and to encounter waves and storms - are broken to pieces with infinite ease when God causes the wind to sweep over the ocean. With so much ease God overthrows the most mighty armies, and scatters them. [Adapted from Barnes]

The testimonies of protection in the Bible reinforce two dominant themes of Scripture: the weakness and vulnerability of people and God's sovereign power and inclination to be compassion toward the human plight.

Selah - Pause and consider the privilege we have as God's children.

(2) God's unfailing love demonstrated in its fullness (v 9-11 )

Psalms 48:9-11 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments."

Lovingkindness - A masculine noun indicating kindness, lovingkindness, mercy, goodness, faithfulness, love, acts of kindness. The outworking of God's love is described here. It is experienced by the psalmist invoking thoughts of rejoicing and gladness.

Thy right hand is full of righteousness - Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

(3) God's unfailing guidance rehearsed for posterity (v 12-14 )

Psalms 48:12-14 "Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

Walk about Zion.tell the towers thereof - Every stone and corner of Zion has a story to tell of God's marvelous work for His people.

that ye may tell it to the generation following- God's praiseworthiness must be rehearsed for posterity.

He will be our guide even unto death - The most dramatic biblical image of God's guidance is the presence of Jehovah guiding the fledgling nation of Israel via a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. God uses human agents to assist His people - Godly parents (Proverbs 4:11 ), prophets (1 Samuel 12:23 , Luke 1:79 ), and other advisers (Proverbs 11:4 ). The Word of God is closely linked to guidance for the believer, and it is described as "a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105 cf. Proverbs 11:22 ). Similarly, the Holy Spirit guides the apostles and by extension all believers "into all truths" (John 16:13 ).

Conclusion

God's unfailing protection, love and guidance must be rehearsed for posterity so that God's people young and old would acknowledge that we have a truly GREAT GOD.