This is another psalm of Asaph. A Song of Zion that celebrates the glory and importance of Jerusalem, as God loves His holy dwelling greatly.

In verses 1-3, the psalmist declares his love for the city of God not out of national pride, but because God founded this holy place. He loves the city more than the dwelling place of Jacob which is Hebron. Many glorious things were spoken about this place God had founded.

In verses 4-6, the focus is turned away from Jerusalem to the Gentile nations who were the enemies of God and His people who live around her. They had heard about the God of the Hebrew people.

“Know Me” in Hebrew is yadah. It can mean “know, acknowledge, understand, be sure, know about, or experience.” When it is used for His people, it is more than admitting or acknowledging Him as the true God, but having “a saving relationship, bowing before Him, and seeking to know Him better.” God also knows them and would not forget them. He would establish them with those who are in Jerusalem.

“This one was born there,” speaks of His knowledge of them individually. They belong to Him as their names were recorded in the Book of Life.

In verse 7, some versions translate dancers as instruments. It pictures a crowd in Jerusalem celebrating with music, song, and dancing. “Springs” refer to a spontaneous flow of life and refreshment, like water to a dry land. “In you” suggests it is from God, the source of life-giving water.

It is interesting how God’s dwelling place has evolved from the Old Testament to the New Testament. In the Old Testament. God’s dwelling place is not only founded by Him but also built according to His specifications. No human could dictate where He dwells, as He gave specific instructions for how it was to be built with all its furniture and utensils were to be made, including the materials to be used.

In other words, God’s dwelling place in the Old Testament differs from the modern church’s building. The church today is built according to man’s design and specification. It is for his use and built to serve him rather than for God to dwell in. This is not meant to be critical, but to remind ourselves who we are serving in this dwelling place of God, as we claim it is God’s dwelling place, especially the sanctuary in which we worship every week.

Do we love God so much that we keep His dwelling place holy instead of using it to serve ourselves? Some even eat and drink in this divine dwelling place of the Lord. We would not let anything in it stay ruined while our homes are well-built and new. Do we prepare ourselves to meet the Lord in His dwelling place, or do we come late every week to worship Him? How can we show our love for God and His dwelling place?

Prayer:

Forgive us, O Lord, as we do not delight in Your dwelling place or express our love for You in reverent fear of Your dwelling presence in Your House. Help us from this day forth to pay careful attention to how we express our love for You and Your dwelling place.