Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“ The rulers of the world have gathered together. They join us in praising the God of Abraham. For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere.” (9)

A great song invites you to sing along, it’s melody and theme is irresistible. God’s song of ascen- sion draws in the rulers and kings of the earth as it celebrates God’s success in battle. The rulers are looking for answers in life that are abundantly displayed in the wisdom of Jesus Christ. The thought in this verse is that they too have become children of Abraham through faith: “ And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you.” (Gal. 3:29) Jesus the champion is celebrated, honored and esteemed wherever he goes!

1 Keil & Delitzsch 2 Spurgeon 3 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 48: GREAT IS THE LORD The City of God

This is the last of three psalms (46, 47, 48) that were written on the occasion of a great deliverance of Jerusalem from her enemies. Psalm 46 was written before the battle and was foretelling the defeat of Israel’s enemies; Psalm 47 was the victory parade as they returned from the battle and ascended into the city; Psalm 48 celebrates the ongoing effects of the victory, the security of Jerusalem. This is a psalm of the ‘City of God’ that is prophetic of God’s continued protection of his church throughout the cen- turies.

THE IMMINENCE OF THE CITY (1-3) THE INVASION OF THE CITY (4-7)

I

II

III THE INVINCIBLE CITY (8) IV THE INSPIRATIONAL CITY (9-11) V THE INSPECTION OF THE CITY (12-14)

INTRODUCTION:

“ A psalm of the descendants of Korah. A song.” (See Ps. 46)

I THE IMMINENCE OF THE CITY (1-3)

“ How great is the Lord, and how much we should praise him in the city of our God, which is on his holy mountain! (1)

Who is to be praised- The city’s greatness is attributed to its most famous inhabitant, the great God of Israel. The scriptures show us that Jesus is the ‘great Lord’ described in this psalm: • The great Son of God- “ He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (Lk. 1:32) • The great God and Savior- “ …while we look forward to that wonderful event when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.” (Titus 2:13) • The great High Priest- “ And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s people, let us go right into the presence of God, with true heats fully trusting him.”(Heb. 10:21) • The great Shepherd- “ Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20)

How he is to be praised- “ …how much we should praise him… ”

Infinite greatness demands infinite praise. The praise given to someone should be equivalent to his or her worthiness; the amazingly great God is deserving of all the honor, glory and appreciation we can deliver!

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