Psalm 48

As I read Psalm 48 I remember my visit to the Western Wall, the Wailing Wall, in Jerusalem. It was the Sabbath evening and the wall glistened like a pearl; she was exceedingly beautiful. Even today, after Jerusalem has been destroyed, rebuilt, destroyed to be rebuilt again and again, she is beautiful as the City of God.

For the followers of Christ, the City of God is the church: “You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.”

(Ephesians 2:19b-22)

 But the church is not a denomination and it is not a building. The church, the bride of Christ, is the people of God when they assemble and ask God to: “Transfigure us to be your presence in the world, even as we are redeemed and reclaimed by your great love. By your Spirit, make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to the world, until Christ comes in final victory, and we feast at the heavenly banquet.”

On our visit to Jerusalem, we gathered on the steps leading to the Temple. We could imagine Jesus teaching his disciples as he sat with them on these same steps. We could imagine the people of God gathering in the Temple as we read Psalm 122, “Let us go to the House of the Lord.” Today, as I read Psalm 48, I envision the time when all of God’s people will gather together in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21: 9-11) to sing praises to our redeeming God.

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

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Reading for June 19, 2012                   Psalm 49