Psalm Category: Song of Zion

Central Thought: Our security is found in God and in Him alone.

Keyword: Sapon (v. 2). Sapon is translated as “Zaphon” by the NIV. The NIV translates this word as a proper noun denoting Mount Zaphon, which was significant to Canaanite mythology. Sapon could also be translated as “north” (see NASB). The NIV is right to translate sapon as Mount Zaphon, thus setting forth a comparison between the two rival mountains. Although Mount Zaphon had a higher elevation than Mount Zion, the latter was greater and more secure than the former because it was the place where the one true God dwelled. However, to see that Mount Zion was greater required faith, not sight. Similarly, faith is required for us to see that heavenly Mount Zion is greater than any place of security on this earth.

Psalm 48

We are all concerned about security. We have Social Security to make our retire­ments secure, Homeland Security to make our nation secure, and security systems to make our homes and cars secure. Humanity has an innate longing for security. That longing is given expression in Psalm 48. The psalm speaks of a secure city, a secure people, and a secure God.

A Secure City (vv. 1-7, 12-13): Psalm 48 focuses on the security of the city of Zion. The opening verses emphasize both the city’s beauty (v. 2) and its impregnability as a fortress (v. 3). The magnificent security provided by the city is also evidenced by the response of Israel’s enemies. For example, the kings who joined forces against Israel quickly found themselves “astounded,” filled with “terror,” and “trembling” when they beheld the great city (vv. 4-6). Ultimately, the enemies who confronted Zion were destroyed like the mighty ships of Tarshish (v. 7). Nothing could prevail against God’s city. The city was secure.

A Secure People (vv. 9-13): The security provided by the city results in its people feeling safe. Because of the impregnability of Zion, Israel could engage in unfettered worship. For example, within the temple the people were free to “meditate” on God’s love (v. 9); they could rejoice from the summit of Mount Zion all the way down to the small “villages of Judah” (v. 11); and they could walk leisurely around the city counting “her towers,” considering well “her ramparts,” and viewing “her citadels” (vv. 12-13). Meditating, rejoicing, walking, counting, considering, and viewing; all these can only be enjoyed by people living free from attack. The people were secure.

A Secure God (vv. 8, 14): While the city possessed awe-inspiring defenses and the people were at peace, the true security of Israel was not found in towers, ramparts, and citadels. Zion was only secure because God was within her. Zion was secure because it was the “city of the Lord Almighty” and “city of our God” (v. 8). It was God’s presence that allowed Mount Zion to spiritually dwarf the physically loftier Mount Zaphon (v. 2). It was God who provided security both to the city (“makes her secure forever,” v. 8) and the people (guiding them “even to the end,” v. 14).

Where Do You Find Your Security? Psalm 48 reminds us not to trust in earthly things for security, no matter how powerful they seem. Zion was an impressive city and seemed invincible. This seeming invincibility led Israel to place its trust in the city rather than in God. Because of the misplaced trust of Israel, God eventually allowed Zion to be destroyed. As Jeremiah prophesied, the armies of Babylon came to Jerusalem and razed it to the ground (Jer. 38:1-5). The great city became rubble, and the people who sought security in it died “by the sword, famine or plague” (v. 2). Jeremiah even employs the imagery of a woman experiencing labor pains, an image used in Psalm 48:6 with reference to the fear of Zion’s enemies, to describe the state of God’s people during Zion’s destruction (Jer. 4:31, 6:24).

Christians face a similar temptation to trust in the seemingly secure things of this world. We can trust in our 401(k) plans, our nation’s military might, and our health and abilities. We can even make the mistake of finding our security in the church or in the fact that we were born into a Christian family. Like Zion, the church only provides security because God dwells within her.

Psalm 48 reminds us that only God can make us secure forever. It is only by placing ourselves in the Father’s hand that we find true eternal security (John 10:28). Where do you find your security?

—Anthony Selvaggio