The city of God is beautiful in its loftiness; it is the joy of the whole earth (2a). Jerusalem is more than a local capital; it prefigures the Holy City of heaven (cf. Rev. 21:2). The city of God is not beautiful because of its tall walls or well-decorated buildings, but because “God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress” (3). When the enemies of God and their kings join forces and advance against her, they are astounded and flee in terror because of its glorious beauty (4).
God’s enemies are destroyed and shattered by the power of God’s glory (7). God’s people have not only heard that it happened in the past, as told by their ancestors, but have also seen it happen in their own generation. It’s God’s unfailing love revealing itself (8).
Draw a mental picture of Jesus making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. People shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9b). In Jerusalem, however, Jesus was arrested, tried, and condemned to die on the cross for our sins. But God raised him from the dead as his affirmation of accepting his sacrifice for our sins. We sinned, but God redeemed us. It is his unfailing love demonstrated in the holy city.
Jul 7, 2026
JERUSALEM, THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH
Passage: bible.psalm 48:1-14
Key verse: 1,2a
NIV
chapter 48
1. [A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.] Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
2. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.
3. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.
4. When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,
5. they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror.
6. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.
7. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind.
8. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever.
9. Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
10. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.
11. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.
12. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,
13. consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.
14. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, thank you for your unfailing love. You have done wonderful things for us in the holy city. Amen.
One Word: We meditate on God’s unfailing love