PSALM 48 GREAT IS THE LORD

Greetings...

"Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God in His holy mountain... beautiful in elevation/situation...the joy of the whole earth...is Mount Zion on the sides of the north...The city of the great King." (Psalm 48:1-2)

In the 70's...sitting in a small circle or standing in front of a few hundred people...I would lead people in praise and worship...singing this Psalm (or at least a few verses from it. I played it in the key of D.

It started off with a statement of fact:

"Great is the Lord". That statement enough is a declaration, a confession, an encouragement, and an authoritative statement to put the devil (little d) on notice.

"And greatly to be praised": A GREAT God...deserves GREAT praise. Sometimes I praise Him like He ain't that great. "Mediocre is the Lord...and in a mediocre way to be praised." NOTE: This would be like...clapping your hands to the Lord and then just kind of pitty pat to the Lord.

"In the city of our God": The dwelling place for our God...where we desire to be. This is the place we speak of when we pray..."Our Father...who art in Heaven..."

"In His holy mountain (mountain of His Holiness).": It ain't the mountain that makes it self holy...it's the Holy God who makes it Holy...because wherever He is...it is "Holy Ground".

"Beautiful in elevation (beautiful for situation)": When you dwell in "heavenly places"...you are positioned...elevated...situated to have a God's Eyed View...of events in your life below on planet earth.

"The joy of the whole earth.": Joy is the hallmark of earth...when the Lord is the Lord and the Kingdom is established throughout the earth. Joy means delight. As we delight ourselves in the Lord...He will give us the desires of our hearts. (Psalm 37:4)

"Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north.": The city of Zion...the center of Jewish worship...and later a type/picture of the New Testament church...was located in the north (northeastern)part of Mt. Zion. (Thanx and a Tip O Da Hat to The Spirit Filled Life Bible)

"The city of the great King.": The King...the kingdom...the city. The great King...makes a great city.

NOTE: When we sang verses 1-2...we would then go into a little chorus..."How great is or God... how great is His name...How great is our God...forever the same...He rolled back the waters...of the might Red Sea...and He said I'd never leave you...put your trust in Me."

The second verse (that we later learned)...was from verse 10-11..."According to you name...O God so is Thy praise...unto the ends of the earth...Your right hand is full of righteousness... let Mount Zion rejoice...let the daughters of Judah be glad..." We then go back into the chorus..."How great is our God...."

Well...if you want to be in a good position...to have a God's eye view...may I suggest...the mountain top.

Love and Greatly Praising Kisses
Rodney "Situated" Boyd