Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Psalm 48 is a song of Zion, setting forth the glory of the LORD as He dwelt among His people and defended His city. It begins not with the city itself, but with God (v.1), for the beauty and strength of Zion were only because the LORD was there. The following verses describe the city as “beautiful for situation” and “the joy of the whole earth” (v.2), but even that beauty is explained by this greater truth: “God is known in her palaces for a refuge” (v.3). The place was glorious because the God of glory was present there.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.” The LORD is great in His being, His power, His wisdom, and His works. His greatness cannot be measured by men, for “his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). Therefore He is not to be praised lightly or with half a heart, but greatly. As His name is excellent, so His praise ought to be full: “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name” (Psalm 29:2). This is the language of holy admiration, glad confession, and public honor. The psalm itself shows such praise, for after declaring His greatness in verse 1, it recounts His defense of Zion, which caused kings to marvel, trouble to seize them, and them to flee away (vv. 4-6).
“In the city of our God.” This refers first to Jerusalem, the city God chose for His worship and dwelling among Israel. “The LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation” (Psalm 132:13). It was called His city because He placed His name there, His altar there, and His people there. Yet the words also lift the mind higher, for the true glory of the church in every generation is that it belongs to God. The New Testament says, “Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). So the praise of God in His city reaches beyond old Jerusalem to all His dwelling with His people. Today, He dwells with His people as they assemble as a local church.
“In the mountain of his holiness.” This is Mount Zion, which God set apart for Himself. Holiness here is separation unto God. The mountain was not holy by nature, but by God’s choice, presence, and worship appointed there. So the LORD had said of His house, “Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7). The same truth appears in the New Testament concerning God’s people, for they are sanctified by Him and for Him: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). Wherever God places His name, there is holiness; wherever He dwells, there is praise due unto Him.
This verse therefore teaches that all true praise begins with the greatness of the LORD Himself. Zion was honored because He was there. The church is glorious because He walks among the candlesticks. God’s people should therefore look beyond outward things and fix their hearts on the Lord who makes His dwelling place excellent. As the psalm goes on to say, “We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple” (v.9). That is still the right occupation of saints: to consider His greatness, remember His goodness, and give Him the praise due unto His name.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Psalm 48 is a song of Zion, setting forth the glory of the LORD as He dwelt among His people and defended His city. It begins not with the city itself, but with God (v.1), for the beauty and strength of Zion were only because the LORD was there. The following verses describe the city as “beautiful for situation” and “the joy of the whole earth” (v.2), but even that beauty is explained by this greater truth: “God is known in her palaces for a refuge” (v.3). The place was glorious because the God of glory was present there.
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised.” The LORD is great in His being, His power, His wisdom, and His works. His greatness cannot be measured by men, for “his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3). Therefore He is not to be praised lightly or with half a heart, but greatly. As His name is excellent, so His praise ought to be full: “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name” (Psalm 29:2). This is the language of holy admiration, glad confession, and public honor. The psalm itself shows such praise, for after declaring His greatness in verse 1, it recounts His defense of Zion, which caused kings to marvel, trouble to seize them, and them to flee away (vv. 4-6).
“In the city of our God.” This refers first to Jerusalem, the city God chose for His worship and dwelling among Israel. “The LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation” (Psalm 132:13). It was called His city because He placed His name there, His altar there, and His people there. Yet the words also lift the mind higher, for the true glory of the church in every generation is that it belongs to God. The New Testament says, “Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). So the praise of God in His city reaches beyond old Jerusalem to all His dwelling with His people. Today, He dwells with His people as they assemble as a local church.
“In the mountain of his holiness.” This is Mount Zion, which God set apart for Himself. Holiness here is separation unto God. The mountain was not holy by nature, but by God’s choice, presence, and worship appointed there. So the LORD had said of His house, “Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people” (Isaiah 56:7). The same truth appears in the New Testament concerning God’s people, for they are sanctified by Him and for Him: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). Wherever God places His name, there is holiness; wherever He dwells, there is praise due unto Him.
This verse therefore teaches that all true praise begins with the greatness of the LORD Himself. Zion was honored because He was there. The church is glorious because He walks among the candlesticks. God’s people should therefore look beyond outward things and fix their hearts on the Lord who makes His dwelling place excellent. As the psalm goes on to say, “We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple” (v.9). That is still the right occupation of saints: to consider His greatness, remember His goodness, and give Him the praise due unto His name.