Psalm 48:1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
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.
3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
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.
11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
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.
Psalm 87:1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.
2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.
6 The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.
7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
MEMORY VERSE: There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. —Psalm 46:4
CENTRAL THOUGHT: The Church of God is beautifully situated on the bright hills of glory and perfect holiness, founded on the Word of God, inhabited by those who are born again and enrolled in the Lamb’s book of life.
WORD DEFINITIONS
Psalm 48:2 “On the sides of the north”: This evidently refers to the position of the site of the temple, which was situated in the north section of Jerusalem.
LESSON BACKGROUND
The things that are spoken in the Psalms of Zion and Jerusalem are fulfilled now in the Church of God which Jesus purchased with His own blood, and which is built upon Himself, the solid Rock. Zion, the city of David, and Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, are types of the New Testament Church. In speaking of what we are come to in Christ, Paul said in Hebrews 12:22: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”
In Revelation 14:1, John saw a lamb (Christ) standing upon the mount Sion. So whatever is spoken in the Psalms concerning Zion finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual experience that we have in Christ today as His Church. And it is all so true, clearly discerned by the spiritually enlightened men and women who are born from above. The two Psalms that we quote from in our lesson go together in their description of the beautiful situation of the city of God. She is the city of the great King, Jesus Christ. Psalm 87:5, in the Septuagint, reads: “A man shall say, Sion is my mother; and such a man was born in her.” This points to the new birth that Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus in John 3. Paul called the Jerusalem which is above “the mother of us all” in Galatians 4:26.
The love for the city of Zion and Jerusalem which the children of Israel who wholly worshipped God very strongly expressed was evident in the sacred writings, and this same love should fill the heart of the child of God today. And it does, as we hear the Savior’s voice in the holy Church of God.
—Bro. Leslie Busbe
QUESTIONS:
- What are some of the things about the Church of God that are so beautiful?
- God known in her palaces for ________________.
- Why should we seek to have a clear understanding of the Church of God?
- Is it possible for us to live in Zion and not know about her “towers, palaces, and bulwarks”?
- What is the mountain of God’s holiness to us today?
- Can you think of some of the glorious things that are spoken of the Church of God?
- How can a person enter the Church of God?
- Who established the Church?
- What will decide a man’s status in Zion when the Lord comes and counts up the people?
- What kind of birth is the Psalmist really talking about?
COMMENTS AND APPLICATION
Many hundreds of years before Christ came and the Church was built, the Spirit of God inspired the writers of the Psalms to vividly portray the glorious aspects of the Church. Peter said that it was not unto themselves, but unto us that the writers of old did minister the things that are now reported by them who preach the gospel (1 Peter 1:12).
The Church of God is the most beautiful structure and organized body of people in all of time and eternity. To be saved and a part of the holy Church of God is the highest honor and privilege that can be given to a man. We not only are saved in Christ, but we are saved in His Church. The word “church” means a congregation, assembly, or a gathering together unto Christ. When we repent of our sinful ways of life and come to Jesus to believe in and follow Him, we find a transforming experience of the new birth. It is a resurrection from the dead state of sins and our empty ways of life to a new life of joy, victory, and hope in Him. This is what puts us into the Church of God.
The truths and the realities of this special relationship with the Lord are the towers, the palaces, and the bulwarks of Zion. How we need to explore and know these blessings so that we can continually testify of their blessedness to the generation that is coming on. Many times people get misinformed and are in the dark concerning the real happiness that is found in living for the Lord. The devil points out to them the hard places and the difficulties, but hides the spiritual blessings and values found therein. Let us know and see as we have heard, so that we can vividly portray these blessings to the generation following.
—Bro. Leslie Busbee
REFLECTIONS
When we see the spiritual chaos of the world colliding with the pillars of truth that are established forever, we are humbled at the greatness of our God. Truth will stand the tests of time. How beautiful to see God’s truth meeting the needs of storm-tossed souls in this day of 2018! Darkened elements of humanism, sectism, political correctness and this new acceptance of “diversity.” Such things are beating hard on our doorstep trying to break down our beliefs in creation, marriage and even the laws of our nation which were founded on godly principles.
I’m reminded of the saying, “The world at its worst needs a church at its best.” If ever we need to shine, it’s now. Folks, the world is “smelling” us to see if there is any fragrance of the power of God’s love in us. Fiery trials come to make us strong. People pick up on the beautiful scent a child of God leaves when going through afflictions, heaviness, trials, and tests. The old temple in Jerusalem was such a “smell-good-place” with all the spices, flowers, and incense, that it permeated into your clothing, skin, and hair. When we have “been with God” we too have a fragrance about us that the world is craving.
What a beautiful situation to see God “fitting in the jails, in the hospitals, in the inner cities and in every place where His people carry the gospel and bring life to a weary soul.” We’ve seen so many people, whose lives were wrecked by sin, meet the “God of all grace” and be changed and delivered. The song says, “What the World Needs is Jesus.” Just a glimpse of Him and His church coming in and working together is so beautiful and life changing.
How beautiful is the sound of saints worshipping God! It carries such power! When God’s people are satisfied, full of the Spirit of God, and happy, then we are situated to feed the world. Finding this pearl of truth and sharing it with others is so beautiful! How fitting it is that God would plant His happy people who shine as lights in the world right in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. God is putting His church in the very midst of chaos, confusion, and compromise to show forth His power and grace. Let us exalt His name as we look upon this beautiful situation!
–Bro. James Bell
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