Psalms

Psalms 48: God guides His people forever

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the song of God's city, let us remember the mercy we must tell the next generation. Pray that Christ would give us faithful words to tell another generation of the loving kindness of God.

My tent also shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Ezekiel 37:27

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God is His people's refuge and guide, and the next generation must hear about Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The sons of Korah praise the great LORD in His holy city, Mount Zion, the city of the great King. God makes Himself known in her citadels as a refuge. Kings gather against her, yet what they see brings amazement, trembling and hurried flight. The people have heard of God's mighty works and now see His care for the city He establishes. In His temple they consider His loving kindness, praising His name and righteous judgments to the ends of the earth. They walk around Zion and examine her defences to tell the next generation that this God is their God forever and their guide to death.

As you read Psalms 48, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The great LORD is His people's God forever, and He guides them even to death.

Zion is Jerusalem, called beautiful because the great King has set His presence there. Her citadels are strong places within the city, yet God Himself is the refuge who stops the assembled kings. Their sudden fear is compared with labour pains, while the east wind breaking Tarshish ships displays His irresistible power. What the people heard about God becomes something they have seen in His care for His city. Meditating on loving kindness in the temple joins remembered mercy with praise for His righteous judgments. Zion and Judah's towns rejoice because His judgments are right, and His name deserves praise throughout the earth. Walking around the walls turns the city's defences into things parents can show while telling their children about God. Jesus also calls Jerusalem the city of the great King in Matthew 5 verse 35. The closing confession rests in God Himself forever, with His guidance reaching even to death.

How does Psalm 48 show us that the great LORD is His people's God forever, and He guides them even to death?

God Himself is the refuge of His city.

The kings gather together, then hurry away in fear. Their strength cannot overcome the God who makes Himself known as refuge. His presence gives the city its reason for praise.

God's loving kindness and judgments deserve remembered praise.

The people consider His loving kindness in the temple. His righteous judgments give Zion and Judah's towns joy. They examine the city so they can tell the next generation about the God who guides them.

Memorise

For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.

Psalm 48:14

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what keeps me from trusting Jesus and speaking of His mercy?

The singers say, “this God is our God forever and ever.” His city has reason to praise because He has made Himself known as refuge. The next generation must hear about His loving kindness and righteous judgments.

Our sin puts us before those righteous judgments as guilty people. Jesus died for His people, taking the punishment they deserved so they could belong to God forever. He was raised to life. His completed work is enough to secure their forgiveness, and His welcome requires no added sacrifice.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. His welcome includes forgiveness for every person who comes to Him in faith. Speak of His mercy to the children in your care, while urging each one to seek Him personally. The God who guides His people in Christ will care for them through each day and even death.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God is His people's refuge and guide, and the next generation must hear about Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His loving kindness and His guidance of His people. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.

John 14:20

Great King, thank You for the loving kindness Your people remember and praise. Please lead us to Jesus for forgiveness and peace with You. Help us tell the next generation what Your Word says about You. Guide Your people through every trial, and teach us to trust Your care even when we face death. Amen.