It’s hard to fully understand how much Jerusalem means to the Jewish soul.
I’ve traveled a lot in life and for me, it was important that my heart always have its “geographical center.” For me that was my mom in my childhood home. No matter how much I moved or where I went, there was always that “center” in my heart. For the Jewish people, that geographical center is Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is the heartbeat of Israel. It is the place that throughout the ages has been the place of worship, dancing, joy, forgiveness, getting right with the Lord and more. So much celebration to God. Not only that, but God said he would His name there.
This psalm states that Jerusalem, also known as Zion, is a blessed city of God (Ps 48:1).
“The LORD is great and highly praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain,
raising splendidly,
is the joy of the whole earth”
Jerusalem is “the joy of whole earth.” And what is done within Jerusalem (Ps 48:9-11)?
God, within Your temple,
we contemplate Your faithful love.
Your name, God, like Your praise,
reaches to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is filled with justice.
Mount Zion is glad.
The towns of Judah rejoice
because of Your judgments.
We contemplate his faithful love to us. We praise the Lord so His name reaches to the end of the earth. We celebrate his righteous justice.
I think that last part rings a little more true these days. Wouldn’t it be great if a righteous judge who did not show party partiality come and rule the nations of the world? That he would lead and legislate in righteousness?
Then the psalmist invites the people to discover Jerusalem. “…encircle it; count its towers; note its ramparts; tour its citadels” (Ps 48:12-13).
Why? So the next generation can know this:
“This God, our God forever and ever–He will always lead us” (Ps 48:14).
And that, is a very good word of encouragement.
