Psalm 48:12-14

“Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever! He will be our guide even to the end!”

Men read the Bible in order that they may know what they are to do; and this is well: but they should read the Bible also in order that they may know what they are to expect: for that blessed book is no less a record of their privileges, than of their duties. It is of privileges that our text speaks. The psalm evidently celebrates some triumph over confederate kings, verse 4; and it was probably written on the occasion of Jehoshaphat’s deliverance from the confederate armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir; who, through the special providence of God, turned their arms against each other, and left Jehoshaphat nothing to do but to collect the spoil, 2 Chronicles 20:22-25. That, as might be expected, was a season of very exalted joy to all Judah: and the circumstances altogether correspond very exactly with the intimations given in this psalm. The security of Zion under Divine protection is that which is particularly specified in the text; and we are called to notice it for the benefit of future generations.

Let us consider,

I. The survey proposed—

Whatever strength might be in the fortifications of Jerusalem, the writer of this psalm evidently looked beyond them to God, who alone is the security of his people. Moreover, Zion was a type of the Church of God, which is indeed “the mountain of his holiness, beautiful for situation, and the joy of the whole earth; and in whose palaces he is well known for a refuge, verses 1–3.” Let us then “walk about her, and count her towers, and mark well her bulwarks.”

1. Let us mark the bulwarks of the Jewish Church—

This was founded on the purposes, the perfections, and the promises of God; and from them were derived her strength and her security.

In a season of great alarm and terror, the prophet being asked, “What shall we answer the messengers of the nation,” who come to apprise us of the approach of the Philistine armies? His answer was, “Tell them that the Lord has founded Zion, and that the poor of his people shall trust in it, Isaiah 14:32.” To this Paul adds, “The foundation of the Lord stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are his, 2 Timothy 2:19.” God had determined from all eternity that he would have a Church and people in the world: and hence it was that neither Pharaoh in Egypt could prevent, nor all the nations of Canaan could obstruct, the establishment of Mount Zion; for “God’s counsel must stand; and he will do all his will, Isaiah 46:10.”

For the preservation of his Church, every perfection of the Deity was pledged. While his wisdom was engaged to disconcert, and his power to defeat, all her enemies, his truth and faithfulness formed a barrier that could not be broken through; so that, until by the iniquities of his people he was constrained to depart from them, he was “a wall of fire round about them, and the glory in the midst of them! Zechariah 2:5;” and every attribute of his was “a chamber in which they might lie down in perfect peace, Isaiah 26:20.”

Often it appeared as if his promise in relation to them would fail: but not a jot or tittle of his word ever did fail; for “he was not a man that he could lie, or the son of man that he could repent.” And, after the people had been forty years established in the land of Canaan, Joshua appealed to them, that “not one good thing had failed of all that God had spoken concerning them, but that everything had come to pass according to his promise! Joshua 23:14.”

2. Let us mark the bulwarks of the Christian Church—

Our Zion also has “her towers and her bulwarks,” even the finished work of Christ, and the office of the Holy Spirit, and the economy of Redemption from first to last!

The Lord Jesus undertook to purchase unto himself a peculiar people, even with the inestimable price of his own blood: and never did he cease from his work, until he could say, “It is finished! John 19:30.”

Everything that was necessary to expiate our guilt,

everything that was necessary to work out a righteousness for his redeemed people,

everything that was necessary to satisfy the demands of law and justice, all he completed perfectly!

And having fulfilled his covenant-engagements with the Father, it cannot be but that “he should see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied,” even in the promised seed, who should prolong their days, while “the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hands! Isaiah 53:10-11.”

It is true that in vain would Christ have died for his elect people, if the Holy Spirit had not undertaken to apply to their souls the redemption which he has wrought out for them. But from the day of Pentecost to this very hour, he has not failed “to glorify Christ, by taking of the things that are his, and showing them unto men! John 16:14.”

He finds men dead indeed; but he quickens them to a new and heavenly life!

He gives them eyes to see!

He gives them ears to hear!

He gives them hearts to feel the truths which he has revealed to them!

“In all whom he has begun a work of grace, he never fails to carry it on, and to perfect it until the day of Christ! Philippians 1:6.” And hence it is that all the powers of Hell have never been able to prevail against them!

Were a single Christian to be damned, the whole plan of Redemption:
as devised by the Father,
as accomplished by the Son,
aa applied by the Spirit,
would fail, and the Lord Jesus Christ himself would be robbed of all his recompense and all his glory!

But, whoever surveys “these towers,” will assuredly know, that “Mount Zion cannot be moved, but abides forever! Psalm 125:1.” Yes, “God’s righteousness shall be forever, and his salvation from generation to generation! Isaiah 51:8.”

…

The end of this survey is, “that we may tell it to the generation following:” which shows, that, both for their sakes and our own, we should contemplate:

II. The consolation arising from it—

What was written so many centuries ago, belongs no less to us than it did to those for whose instruction it was originally composed. It calls our attention to the God of Zion, and reminds us of,

1. Our saving interest in him—

“This God is our God forever and ever!” He is the same in himself; and bears the same relation to us; and feels the same concern for us as he did for his Church of old.

“He changes not!” “he is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” “With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” And is he not our Father, our Friend, our Redeemer, our God? When did he cease to sustain these relations to his Church and people? Or when did he cease to be mindful of the offices which these relations imply? If it is said, He has ceased to work miracles—we grant it; but has he therefore withdrawn himself from the Church and from the world, so as to shut up his loving-kindness from us, and to be gracious to us no more?

Were we indeed to believe the infidel and ungodly world, we should say with them, that “God has forsaken the earth,” but we know the contrary: we know, that if God’s presence and agency be less visible than formerly, they are not a whit less real; and that he feels for his people at this hour, as much as ever he did at any period of the world. “He knows their sorrows! Exodus 3:7,” and “in all their afflictions he is afflicted! Isaiah 63:9;” nor can an enemy touch so much as one of them, without touching “the apple of his eye! Zechariah 2:8.”

Take this then into your consideration, in connection with the foregoing survey. The same God as watched so tenderly over his people of old, is your God! He watches over you, with the same care as he did over them. His purposes have as much respect to you as to them: his perfections are all engaged as much for you, as for them: his promises are made no less to you, than to them. For you the work of Christ, the office of the Spirit, and the whole economy of Redemption, have secured blessings, as well as for them. And the same Spirit who was poured forth in such abundant measure upon our Reformers, and endued them with such consummate wisdom and grace, is ready to “work upon your hearts,” and to “fulfill in you also all the good pleasure of God’s goodness, and the work of faith with power; so that the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ! 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.” I say then: Know from the records of the Church of old what a God you have to go to, and that “this God is your God forever and ever!”

2. Our expectations from him—

“He will be our guide even unto death!” See how remarkably he guided Jehoshaphat on the occasion which we suppose to be more particularly referred to: he told Jehoshaphat where his enemies were, at what precise spot he should find them, and when he should go against them. Twice was it repeated, “Tomorrow go out against them, 2 Chronicles 20:16.” So he knows exactly where our enemies are, and what they design against us, and how they are to be met: and though he will not vanquish them without our fighting—yet, if we go forth against them in dependence on him, “he will be with us,” and will subdue them before us. Suppose our most formidable enemies now in array against us; and see in what way he will interpose in our behalf: “Like as a lion,” says he, “and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord almighty come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof. As birds flying, so will the Lord almighty defend Jerusalem: defending also, he will deliver it: and passing over, he will preserve it, Isaiah 31:4-5.”

Here are no less than three figures, rising in a climax one above the other, to illustrate the zeal and efficacy with which he will interpose for us.

The first is that of a lion, who, when devouring his prey, will not be intimidated by the noise of shepherds, how numerous soever they may be, (this marks the determination with which Jehovah will prosecute our caused.)

The next is that of a parent bird, who, when she sees a bird of prey hovering over her young, and ready to dart upon them, will fly with the utmost rapidity to intercept the devourer’s assault, even at the peril of her own life, (this shows the tender interest which Jehovah will take in our welfare, and the efforts he will make in our behalf.)

The last is that of the attendant Angel (the Angel of the Covenant), who accompanied the destroying angel through the whole land of Egypt, and stepped forward, wherever he saw a blood-besprinkled door, to prevent him from executing his commission there; and so effectually constrained him to “pass over” the houses of the Israelites, that, while in every house in Egypt the first-born of man and beast was slain, not one of either was slain in any house belonging to the children of Israel, (this shows the efficacy with which Jehovah will espouse our cause.)

Now then what have we to fear with such a Protector? Let men or devils combine against us, we need not give ourselves one moment’s concern. Under all such circumstances, the Psalmist’s language should be ours: “God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble: therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early! Psalm 46:1-5.”

In a word, we may “cast all our care on Him who cares for us! 1 Peter 5:7;” assured, that, “if we only make God our refuge and habitation, no evil shall befall us! Psalm 91:9-10.”

APPLICATION—

1. Search then into your privileges, that you may have the true enjoyment of them—

Think of people in a besieged city: with what delight would they view the towers and bulwarks which they had reason to believe no enemy could destroy! And will not you, who have the Lord himself for your defense?

Consider the representation which he gives of himself, as a broad river, so broad that it cannot be passed but in boats; yet so tempestuous, that no small vessel can live upon it; and so full of rocks and shoals, that no large vessel can navigate it, Isaiah 33:20-22; which consequently, being impassable, secures to you, under all circumstances, the most perfect tranquility!

Consider this, I say, and tell me, whether you ought not to be ever rejoicing in your God? I would that all of you should be fully acquainted with your privileges; and that you should be frequently “walking about Zion, and counting her towers, and marking well her bulwarks, and considering attentively her palaces” in which you are lodged and feasted from day to day; so that you may be happy in your own souls, and “God may dwell in you, while you thus dwell in him!” For, if you thus “know in Whom you have believed, and that He is able to keep that which you have committed to him, 2 Timothy 1:12,” then you cannot but be happy: since he has expressly said, “I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on me, because he trusts in me! Isaiah 26:3.”

2. Search into them, that you may make them known to the rising generation—

We should not be contented to be happy alone, but should desire as far as possible to diffuse happiness all around us. To the rising generation in particular, we are bound to transmit the benefits which we have received. The knowledge of salvation is a sacred deposit committed to us for that very end, Psalm 78:5-7; It is scarcely to be conceived how much more profitable to young people the preached Gospel would be, if they were well instructed at home. We teach our children what shall conduce to the advancement of their worldly interests; and shall we neglect the welfare of their souls? In particular, let us endeavor to impress their minds with:
the knowledge of God, and his perfections;
the knowledge of Christ, and his offices;
the knowledge of the Holy Spirit, and his operations;
so that they also may have God for their God, and their guide, and their portion, forever and ever!

Charles Simeon