Psalm Chapter 48

A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

I heard a song on the radio several years ago with the words of this psalm in it. The whole book of psalms reminds us and teaches us to praise the Lord. It reminds us of His greatness and His worthiness to be praised. It shows us how holy and wonderful God is to those who trust in Him. Even for those who do not trust in Him, He provided a way of salvation and the gift of eternal life. For while we were yet sinners, God was preparing a way to reconcile His creation back to Him.

Jesus died for the sins of all sinners great and small, weak or strong, rich or poor. Jesus our Christ is the gift of salvation given by God His Father unto all of us that we may escape the fate of hell in which sin leads us to, and have instead eternal life. This is given to all or any who believe in the name of Jesus Christ and follow Him.

Psalm 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Truly the gift of salvation should bring joy to the whole earth. It is not a joy, however to those that reject this gift and to those that prefer to remain in their sin.

Psalm 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

God's gift of salvation is surely a refuge and a hiding place. Sin will destroy and kill eternally. Salvation through the Son, Jesus Christ is a way out of sin and into eternal life. Jesus is security and safety from the eternal fires of hell. Peace is given for surely to be free from sin is peace. Love is given for God's spirit comes to dwell within us and cause us to love those we could not love before.

Psalm 48:4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

To those that resist the salvation provided for by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, there will come judgment eventually. Fear will take hold of those that do not trust in God. Peace will be to those that put their faith and trust in God. Fear here is compared to the uncertain fear of a woman ready to give birth as she is experiencing labor pains. She doesn't know the outcome. Will she be safe, will the baby be ok? To be unsure of one's eternal destiny is a fearful state to be in which is why the Lord brings us assurance when we are following Jesus. Perfect love casts out all fear. We can seek God for this assurance.

Psalm 48:7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
8 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.
9 We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

God's kingdom is coming and is full of righteousness. Sin will not enter into His kingdom. That is the purpose that Jesus came for. Jesus came to rid the world of sin. If we choose to remain in sin then we cannot enter into the coming kingdom of God for no sin will enter there. There is no way for mankind to be rid of sin without help. Will power cannot do it. We need to repent of sin and receive the Son of God into our lives. Jesus is the only way to be rid of sin and inherit eternal life.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we rejoice in the presence of the Lord in voice, in song and praise with thanksgiving, it brings us a joy and peace. We can enjoy God's presence once we come to Jesus for salvation.

Psalm 48:11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

Yes we should be glad for the judgments of God. We should rejoice that sin, suffering, death, pain and evil will not continue. Jesus came to stop it. It will take a while because He waits until everyone has a chance to hear the gospel and He waits to see as many as are willing accept Him as savior. Then the end shall come and time will have run out. Today is the accepted time of salvation.

Hebrews 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

Unbelief is the killer. If we do not believe and repent of sin, then Jesus can't save us. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved and all those to whom you lead to the Lord. This is a rest to those who believe. Entering into His rest is the rest provided through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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

We must tell of our God from generation to generation and not fail to warn of sin and testify to the coming of the Lord and His judgment upon sin and rebellion against God. Jesus came to free us from the curse of the law and the judgment of God. -DC

Psalm 49

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