EGW WritingsPsalms 48

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 23, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 23, 1886, par. 20

Miriam, the sister of Moses that once led the women of Israel with timbrels, saying, “Sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously” [Exodus 15:21], the children of Israel for fifteen hundred years wove their wonderful experience into song. They chanted the grand Hebrew psalms with the same reverence and devotion which inspired the composer of the sacred melody. They exalted God; they brought their experience into history and elevated the marvelous works of God. The angels’ visits to the fathers and His revelations to the prophets were all brought into their songs, celebrating the majesty and power and wonderful works of Jehovah. At the sound of the signal trumpet and the music of the cymbals, the voices of praise and thanksgiving came from thousands of voices, “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:1, 2. In these caravans marching to the holy city, not one went empty handed. Fruits from their produce in field and garden, and offerings of every kind, were borne by the worshipers. The fairest and the choicest of everything was taken to be presented as a gift to Jehovah in the sanctuary. Devotion to God was the order of all who visited the sanctuary. This should be the case with us. When these pilgrims arrived upon the surrounding hills in sight of the holy city, they looked with reverential awe down upon the living mass of people who like themselves were winding their way to the temple. As they saw the smoke of the incense ascending and heard the trumpets of the Levites heralding the break of day, the people caught the inspiration of the hour and broke forth into sacred songs. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north.” Psalm 48:1. “Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.” Psalm 122:7. “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord.” Psalm 118:19. “I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.” Psalm 116:18, 19. “Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good.” Psalm 122:9.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 52—The Annual Feasts

PP 539.2

“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.” Psalm 48:1, 2.

From Eternity Past

Chapter 52—Annual Feasts of Rejoicing

EP 387.6

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, in the mountain of His
holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
Psalm 48:1, 2

Ministry to the Cities

Foreword

MTC 9.1

Psalm 48 is often viewed as the city dweller’s twenty-third psalm. The Lord is “greatly to be praised in the city of our God” (verse 1, NKJV). It is God’s presence in the city that makes it beautiful in its loftiness, “the joy of the whole earth, ... the city of the great King” (verse 2, NKJV). That God could so identify with an earthly city should alert us to see the potential of the cities of today through God’s eyes.

God’s Amazing Grace

Jerusalem’s King, February 9

AG 48.1

Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:2.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 72—The Rebellion of Absalom

PP 731.2

From his palace David looked out upon his capital—“beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, ... the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2. He shuddered at the thought of exposing it to carnage and devastation. Should he call to his help the subjects still loyal to his throne, and make a stand to hold his capital? Should he permit Jerusalem to be deluged with blood? His decision was taken. The horrors of war should not fall upon the chosen city. He would leave Jerusalem, and then test the fidelity of his people, giving them an opportunity to rally to his support. In this great crisis it was his duty to God and to his people to maintain the authority with which Heaven had invested him. The issue of the conflict he would trust with God.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 63—“Thy King Cometh”

DA 576.2

Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His habitation; it was “beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.” Psalm 48:2. The record of more than a thousand years of Christ’s guardian care and tender love, such as a father bears his only child, was there. In that temple the prophets had uttered their solemn warnings. There had the burning censers waved, while incense, mingled with the prayers of the worshipers, had ascended to God. There the blood of beasts had flowed, typical of the blood of Christ. There Jehovah had manifested His glory above the mercy seat. There the priests had officiated, and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for ages. But all this must have an end.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 1—The Destruction of Jerusalem

GC 17.2

From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful was the scene spread out before Him. It was the season of the Passover, and from all lands the children of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. In the midst of gardens and vineyards, and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rose the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seemed in her pride to say, I sit a queen and shall see no sorrow; as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sang: “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, ... the city of the great King.” Psalm 48:2. In full view were the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun lighted up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls and gleamed from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stood, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupied the mind of Jesus. “When He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it.” Luke 19:41. Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches waved, while glad hosannas awoke the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declared Him king, the world’s Redeemer was overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power had conquered death and called its captives from the grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem

GC88 17.2

From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looked upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful was the scene spread out before him. It was the season of the Passover, and from all lands the children of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. In the midst of gardens and vineyards, and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rose the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seemed in her pride to say, “I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow;” as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sung, “Beautiful of situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,” “the city of the great King.” [Psalm 48:2.] In full view were the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun lighted up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls, and gleamed from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stood, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupied the mind of Jesus. “When he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.” [Luke 19:41.] Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches waved, while glad hosannas awoke the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declared him king, the world’s Redeemer was overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power had conquered death, and called its captives from the grave, was in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.

The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 4

Chapter 1—Destruction of Jerusalem

4SP 17.2

From the crest of Olivet, Jesus looks upon Jerusalem. Fair and peaceful is the scene spread out before him. In the midst of gardens and vineyards and green slopes studded with pilgrims’ tents, rise the terraced hills, the stately palaces, and massive bulwarks of Israel’s capital. The daughter of Zion seems in her pride to say, “I sit a queen, and shall see no sorrow;” as lovely now, and deeming herself as secure in Heaven’s favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sung, “Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,” “the city of the great King.” [Psalm 48:2.] In full view are the magnificent buildings of the temple. The rays of the setting sun light up the snowy whiteness of its marble walls, and gleam from golden gate and tower and pinnacle. “The perfection of beauty” it stands, the pride of the Jewish nation. What child of Israel could gaze upon the scene without a thrill of joy and admiration! But far other thoughts occupy the mind of Jesus. “When he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it.” [Luke 19:41.] Amid the universal rejoicing of the triumphal entry, while palm branches wave, while glad hosannas awake the echoes of the hills, and thousands of voices declare him king, the world’s Redeemer is overwhelmed with a sudden and mysterious sorrow. He, the Son of God, the Promised One of Israel, whose power has conquered death, and called its captives from the grave, is in tears, not of ordinary grief, but of intense, irrepressible agony.

From Heaven With Love

Chapter 63—Jesus Acclaimed as Israel’s King

HLv 384.2

Israel had been a favored people; God had made their temple His habitation; it was “beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth.” Psalm 48:2. In it Jehovah had manifested His glory, the priests had officiated, and the pomp of symbol and ceremony had gone on for ages. But all this must have an end. Jesus waved His hand toward the doomed city, and in grief exclaimed, “If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace!” The Saviour left unsaid what might have been the condition of Jerusalem had she accepted the help that God desired to give her—the gift of His Son. Jerusalem might have stood forth in the pride of prosperity, the queen of kingdoms, free in the strength of her God-given power, no Roman banners waving from her walls. The Son of God saw that she might have been liberated from bondage and established as the mighty metropolis of the earth. From her walls the dove of peace would have gone forth to all nations. She would have been the world’s diadem of glory.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 44, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 44, 1898, par. 6

The crucifixion of Christ took place at the time when the Passover was commemorated. At this time representatives from all the nations of the world were assembled at Jerusalem. Representatives from foreign courts, princes, presidents, men exerting a wide influence, kings and noblemen, witnessed the scenes of the crucifixion. “Lo, the kings were assembled: they passed by, they saw it, they trembled.” [See Psalm 48:4, 5.] It was then that the Lord Jehovah struck a blow which was transmitted by strangers to the remotest borders of the earth.

13LtMs, Ms 44, 1898, par. 8

“Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. ... Mark ye well her bulwarks; consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide, even unto death.” [Psalm 48:2, 3, 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 20, 1884

4LtMs, Lt 20, 1884, par. 11

This was the work of the great Master Artist, and we could but exclaim, “How wonderful are all Thy works, Lord God Almighty.” We feel subdued and awed in the presence of such manifestations of the great God. I thought of the psalmist who calls upon everything, animate and inanimate to join in one chorus of thanksgiving to God. He, thus calling upon the senseless and irrational, is the most powerful rebuke to those blessed with intelligence if their souls do not glow and their lips proclaim the majesty and glory of God. “Praise ye him, sun and moon; praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons, and all deeps: fire, and hail; snow, and vapours; stormy winds fulfilling His word.” [Psalm 48:3-8.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 15—Jehoshaphat

PK 203.4

“This God is our God for ever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:10-14.

Education

Chapter 17—Poetry and Song

Ed 165.9

“This God is our God for ever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 46:1, 2; 46:4-7, R.V., margin; 48:14.

God’s Amazing Grace

A Faithful Guide, July 11

AG 200.1

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14.

In Heavenly Places

Trust When You Make Mistakes, April 27

HP 124.6

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.” “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 46:1-3; 48:14).48The Review and Herald, April 7, 1904.

Our High Calling

Which Captain? March 15

OHC 80.1

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8

His Long-Suffering Mercy

8T 278.5

“This God is our God for ever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 27a, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 27a, 1892, par. 14

My love to Jesus and my heavenly Father has increased in depth and breadth. When hope has for a moment seemed dim, when pain seemed almost beyond endurance, I have prayed as did Jacob, “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me” [Genesis 32:26], and after an earnest struggle, what light has come into my heart! What blessings! I could say as never before, “I know that my Redeemer liveth to make intercession for me before the Father.” I have found a refuge in Christ. He has seemed to be as a wall of fire about me. Sometimes there was a soft, subdued light all about me. I seemed to understand as never before these words of the Psalmist: “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” [Psalm 46:7.] “For this God is our God forever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.” [Psalm 48:14.] “My soul, wait thou upon God; for my expectation is from him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 183, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 183, 1902, par. 19

“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadest thee by the way which thou shouldest go.” [Isaiah 48:17.] Will you not say from this time, “My Father, Thou art the guide of my youth”? [Jeremiah 3:4.] “Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” “This is our God forever; He will be our guide even unto death.” [Psalm 73:24; 48:14.] “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” [Proverbs 3:6.]