Read
(A psalm and a song by the clan of Korah.)
The Glory of Mount Zion
1Zion was built by the Lord
on the holy mountain,
2and he loves that city
more than any other place
in all of Israel.
3Zion, you are the city of God,
and wonderful things
are told about you.
4Egypt, Babylonia, Philistia,
Phoenicia, and Ethiopia
are some of those nations
that know you,
and their people all say,
“I was born in Zion.”
5God Most High will strengthen
the city of Zion.
Then everyone will say,
“We were born here too.”
6The Lord will make a list
of his people,
and all who were born here
will be included.
7All who sing or dance will say,
“I too am from Zion.”
Reflect
While historically, Zion was a physical place, it has come to mean so much more than a mark on a map. It is a symbol of God’s church – His people. And, as Psalm 132 tells us, it is where God chooses to dwell.
As human beings, we often place a lot of stock in where we were born. Many people are proud of their heritage, while others can feel ashamed, but almost everyone would agree their birthplace has made some impact on their identity.
This psalm, like so many others, is referring to a promise: God’s promise to bring people into His presence and into His family. And, like most of God’s promises, it is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. To be born in Zion is to be born again in Jesus Christ. This is why everyone can say, “We were born in Zion” (verse 4 and 5) – because everyone can encounter Christ, believe in Him, and choose to follow Him – therefore becoming one of God’s children, a part of His people.
This means we are citizens of the strong city of Zion. We are from the place where God dwells. Even more so than our earthly birthplaces, this citizenship impacts our identity, down to the very core. It is something to be in awe of, to celebrate, and especially: to share. Because there will come a time when the Lord will make a list of his people, and all who were born here will be included. So we need to invite others to the city, to the place where God dwells. And then we’ll see verse 7 firsthand, and have even more reason to rejoice:
All who sing or dance will say, “I too am from Zion.”
Respond
Merciful Father, thank you for loving us so much that you invited us to be a part of your family. Help us to act like citizens of Zion everywhere we go—showing love and compassion to all, and inviting others to know you too. In your name we pray, Amen.
Larissa Benfey
Larissa is a Toronto based actor and writer who has dabbled in everything from scripts to short stories, and is now setting her sights on novels. Having studied English and history at Tyndale University and Seminary, she loves a good story, but her favorite stories always have happy endings - which is part of why she loves the true story of the Gospel so much.