Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
Psalm 48:1 NIV
in the city of our God, his holy mountain.
This psalm is a hymn of exaltation, magnifying the greatness of the Lord our God. Nothing in all of creation can compare with our creator. He, and he alone, is most worthy of praise. Other people and things may be admirable and praiseworthy. But God alone is most worthy of our praise and worship.
The psalmist locates where God is praised as the city of God, his holy mountain. This can be thought of as Jerusalem and the mount where the temple was located. And that was the earthy center of the worship of God. But these expressions can also refer to the people of God. We are the New Jerusalem described in the last chapters of Revelation. We are the temple of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Eph. 2:19-22).
A few years ago, my home football team won the Super Bowl. And the city erupted in praise for the victorious home team. How great would it be if, when God’s people came together, we could direct that level of excitement and praise to the one who truly is most worthy of praise?
