Lessons from Psalms #1: Zion

I've been really digging into the Psalms as one Bible book I want to get to know a lot better this year. So often I dip into Psalms here and there, but I hadn't really systematically gone through the whole book before. I've always been fascinated at how rich and deep these poems are, and I particularly wanted to look more at how Christ features in the Psalms, as a Messiah and a King.

But the first thing I really want to write about is the theme of Zion - partly because I remember being asked by a friend at school what the word 'Zion' meant. I had no idea. And to be honest, I don't think I really understand this word properly now. I've had a look in the New Bible Dictionary and a few other places, and I've been gleaning from the Psalms more about what Zion is and what it means for us as Christians.

Zion as a place where God dwells
When David captured the city of Jerusalem and made it Israel's capital, the ark of the covenant was installed in a tent shrine on Mount Zion. So, in a strict sense, Zion means that place in Jerusalem where the ark was, and so where God's presence dwelt in a special way.
But it comes to symbolise God's earthly dwelling amongst His people in a broader way - especially when Jerusalem is plundered and God's people are taken off to exile in Babylon. Zion becomes this centrepoint of longing for the faithful remnant of God's people who are waiting to see God return to His people and lift the curse upon them for the nation's disobedience.

'By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.'

Ps 137:1

Zion as a place God loves
Prophets like Isaiah spoke of a day of future salvation, when the people would be restored to God as their true husband. Zion would be rebuilt and God's blessing on it would extend to bless the nations of the world. God's relationship to Zion is compared to marriage. His love is unchangeably set upon the people of Zion, and His righteousness guarantees her liberation.

'as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you... You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.'

Isa 62:5-7

The challenge of Zion to us
So here's the challenge for us as Christians:

- Do we long for God?

'How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.'

Ps 84:1-2

- Do we see our home as the heavenly city we wait for?

'There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.'

Ps 46.4

We can thank God that we no longer need Jerusalem, Mount Zion in an earthly sense. We don't need a special temple to go to meet with Him, because Jesus has torn down the curtain and made the way for us. By His Spirit He dwells in us! (2 Tim 1:14, 1 Jn 3:24)

We feel the weakness of our flesh every day, the struggle we have to connect with God because of all the sin and distraction that threatens our intimacy with Him. Let's not forget that the day is coming with all those barriers will be gone forever. (Rev 21)

I was thinking of how, when my husband goes away, I am so excited for his return. That's how I should feel about Jesus' second coming! Let's live in eager expectation for that day!