Rooted in Grace, Growing in Community

Psalm 48:1–14

Glorious Things Of Thee Are Spoken

A day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. —Psalm 84:10 This morning’s service is filled with descriptions of God’s house. From the beginning to the end, we’ll read of “the house of the God of Jacob” (Isaiah 2), “the house of the Lord” (Psalm 135), “the dwelling place of God” (Revelation 21), “heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12), “city of our God,” “His holy mountain,” and “Zion” (all from this morning’s sermon text, Psalm 48). While many of these passages refer to the earthly city of Jerusalem and Solomon’s temple, each one also points towards the reverence and affection that God’s people should have for His church. We sing, urging one another to draw near to His temple (Praise to the Lord, The Almighty), and we stand in awe of the house of prayer in Salem where He dwells (In Judah The Almighty’s Known—Psalm 76). We ask that His house would be ours (My Shepherd Will Supply My Need—Psalm 23), and that we might be eternal citizens of this heavenly Jerusalem (Jerusalem, My Happy Home). We joyfully look forward to gathering in the final, eschatological, “city of light” (From Babel To Zion), where we will feast and weep no more (We Will Feast In The House Of Zion). May this morning’s service stir up in us a continued zeal for God’s house. —Henry C. Haffner