A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Several of these psalms today, including Psalm 46, are called "songs of Zion" because of the reference to the Holy City, Jerusalem. In this psalm, it tells of God preserving his people even during cosmic tumults like earthquakes and floods. And this particular Psalm was what inspired Martin Luther's hymn, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, written in 1529 - that's a while back ladies.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing,

Our helper He, amid the flood, of mortal ills prevailing:

For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;

His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate,

On earth is not his equal.

Even if this world as we know it ends, we should not fear. The best advice - be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 47 - Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with a voice of praise. OK, so I have to admit - I love songs of praise, choruses, hymns of joy - but I'm not one for loud clapping or shouting in church. (I know, I know - it's my "age.") But here we are given a suggestion, even urged, to "shout to God" with a voice of praise. This is a beautiful Psalm, and from what I read, was written to summon all the world to praise the God of Israel as king. Now, that I can do! The commentaries I read said that this was probably written to accompany a religious ceremony and was connected with the Ark of the Covenant or with the Assyrian invasion of Judah (which we read about in II Kings), but we can use it any time as a reminder to give our praise to God.

Psalm 48 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. Here we have another "song of Zion" which praises Jerusalem as a type of visible sign of the reign of God. Jerusalem was a beautiful city, and since the temple was in the midst of the city, it was seen and described as the center of God's holy presence in the world. Remember how often the phrase "holy Presence" was used, especially by David, in the books that we have read? Zion also may refer to the actual temple itself. In Rev. 14:1, it refers to the heavenly Jerusalem, the place where the Lamb will appear at the end of time.

Psalm 49 But man, despite his riches, does not endure . . . This psalm is almost a "sermon" on the earthly life, the quest for riches and wealth, and then death. Maybe it should be entitled "You can't take it with you." Lots of people strive for wealth, holdings, "stuff"(as my Mom used to say) in this life. But, in the end, it is all so meaningless. Life is brief - as Amy said in her post - life is but a breath. Like a vapor. Rich or poor, when we leave this earth the only thing that matters is what we have invested in our eternal heritage. Our treasures must be in heaven. Let's place our "investments" where they really matter.

Psalm 50 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills . . . What a beautiful picture. God owns everything - this is my Father's world, I rest me in the thought. Here I go again with the "all creatures great and small theme" that runs through my life. Years ago my husband and I took a trip to California. We rented a car and drove for miles and miles along the Big Sur and the northern coast, and it was just breath-taking - the cliffs, the hills, the pastures, the curves, the sea and the waves crashing on the rocks below. Just like in a movie scene. We came around a bend, and I remember seeing a lush, green, hilly pasture with cattle grazing all around - and this verse came to my mind - the cattle on a thousand hills. What a beautiful psalm and what a beautiful world He has given to us to live in. How can we not but praise our God!! (OK, even with loud clapping and shouting!!)