Psalms 48 · The Lantern

Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised: in the city of our God, even upon his holy hill.

The hill of Sion is a fair place, and the joy of the whole earth: upon the north-side lieth the city of the great King; God is well known in her palaces as a sure refuge.

Truly the Lord is called great. For consider, he has poured exaltation and joy over all the orb of this earth where previously the land produced the most dreadful growth of sin; he has made joyful the earth that once abounded in sorrow, tears and groans. Now our conscience is set free from sin and can rejoice.

For what reason, tell me, does he now mention the north and describe to us the location of the place? Because from that quarter war generally broke out with the invasion of savages, and generally the inspired authors mention it, calling it "from the north," and speak in terms of a cauldron boiling from that direction.… This city generally vulnerable from that quarter you made i…

"It is founded." Here he commends the city in three ways. First, from its extent or joyfulness. Second, from its arrangement. Third, from the wisdom of its citizens. He says, therefore, "It is founded with the exultation of the whole earth." As if to say: it has been founded on the mountain, that is, Christ. But does this foundation pertain to one land only?

For lo, the kings of the earth: are gathered, and gone by together.

They marvelled to see such things: they were astonished, and suddenly cast down.

At this point he is describing a harsh war concerted from every direction and a famous victory. You see, after he said that God comes to [the city's] aid and gives evidence of great care, he then shows also how he came to its aid.

"For, lo, the kings of the earth are gathered together" [Psalm 48:4]. Behold now those sides of the North, see how they come, see how they say, "Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord: and He will teach us His way, and we will walk in it." [Isaiah 2:3] "And have come together in one." In what one, but that "corner-stone"? [Ephesians 2:20]

"For behold." Here he proves the dignity of the city through testimony. And first he introduces the witnesses. Second, their integrity. Third, their confession. For testimony to be credible, three things are necessary: namely, the dignity of the witnesses, that they be witnesses of authority, because if they are frivolous, their testimony should not be approved.

Fear came there upon them, and sorrow: as upon a woman in her travail.

Thou shalt break the ships of the sea: through the east-wind.

Like as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God upholdeth the same for ever.

We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God: in the midst of thy temple.

Outside the city, we have heard. Inside the city, we have seen. God is the eternal light of this city. The light of day shines there without the sun we know in this world, and of the moon there is no need. The foundation of this city belongs not to time but to eternity.

"As we have heard, so have we seen" [Psalm 48:7]. Blessed Church! At one time you have heard, at another time you have seen. She heard in promises, sees in performance: heard in Prophecy, sees in the Gospel. For all things which are now fulfilled were before prophesied.

"As we have heard." Here the confession and testimony of the witnesses is set forth. And first they confess the truth of what they have heard. "As we have heard," through the preaching of the apostles, "so we have seen," that is, we have perceived it to be true. This they said when they were converted to Christ.

O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the world's end: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

God's true temple is the body of Christ, and in that body lies the purification of all our sins. Truly, that flesh is God's temple, and in it there is no contagion of sin. On the contrary, it was itself the sacrifice that takes away the sin of all the world. That flesh is indeed God's temple, and in it shone God's image.

"We have received Thy mercy, O God, in the midst of Thy people" (ver. 8). Who have received, and where received? Hath not the same Thy people received Thy mercy. If Thy people hath received Thy mercy, how then, "in the midst of Thy people"? As if they who received were one party, they in the midst of whom they received another. A great mystery, but yet well known.

"We have received." Above, the Psalmist set forth the great things of the city; here, however, he sets forth the thanksgiving. And concerning this he does two things. First, the thanksgiving is set forth.

Let the mount Sion rejoice, and the daughter of Judah be glad: because of thy judgements.

The right hand of God is Christ, who is filled with righteousness and from his fullness we receive everything.

For when he had said, "We have received Your mercy in the midst of Your people," he signified that there is a people not receiving the mercy of God, in the midst of whom some do receive the mercy of God: and then lest it should occur to men that there are so few, as to be nearly none, how did He console them in the words following?

"According to your name, O God." Here the effect of this reception is set forth. As if to say: by the fact that we have received your name, your praise has been spread throughout the whole earth. And this "according to your name, O God," who is essentially good. And whoever knows God according to that measure praises him according to how he knows him.

Walk about Sion, and go round about her: and tell the towers thereof.

"Let mount Zion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments, O Lord" [Psalm 48:10]. O mount Zion, O daughters of Judah, you labour now among tares, among chaff, among thorns ye labour: yet be glad because of God's judgments. God errs not in judgment.

Let Mount Zion rejoice; let the church rejoice; the daughters of Judah rejoice. You have judged all the spirits from the womb of the church, so that you may yoke the devil and may free the souls of people. Now, O freed spirits, encompass your mother Zion, whom you have followed; tell his mercy to the towers. In the towers they defend the city and resist the enemies.

"Let Mount Zion rejoice." Here the effect of the justice wrought by the left hand is set forth, and it is groaning; but the effect of the justice wrought by the right hand is joy. Ps.

Mark well her bulwarks, set up her houses: that ye may tell them that come after.

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he shall be our guide unto death.

The psalmist exhorts the people, "Behold this city." … Understand something from … its structure, its beauty, its fame, so as to learn from this God's power, how he made the lost city more mighty, and recount to your progeny God's power and the enduring course of his providence; his care of us, his leadership and shepherding last forever.

Each generation has to pass on to the next what we have received from the former so that the saving message may pass to all generations, and all people know that he is our God and Lord, good shepherd, everlasting.

As to the second, he says, "Set your hearts upon its strength." Jerome has, "Set your heart upon its ramparts." And this is the power of the Holy Spirit, who protects this city: Lk.

Psalms48