"Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together." (v.3)
Jerusalem as a city of peace was never a city of brotherly love or in peace. Where the priestly class had established a status 'holier-than-thou' the name was a misnomer. Peace that can only be found in unswerving bond of peace between God and man eluded the city of Jerusalem then as now.
In rejecting the prince of peace we have instead a more realistic picture of the city and it came from the Man in whom God sent his gospel. . "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!/Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." The desolation of the house explained their nation which reflected their times and the world. Equally brutalized was their heart to reject the fear of God.
How would they fear what they have not believed? Truth in their inward parts they never looked at because the observance of sacrifices and traditions of their fathers made them complacent. In rejecting faith and relying on works they invited catastrophe. Going into exiles under Assyria and Babylon they had a illusion of Jerusalem as city of peace. It was a lie since they found no peace in their own soul. Is it not the case even now? "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:" (Is.48:18). It is to this Jesus referred,"For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matt.23:37-39)
This psalm composed by David can be approached literally as well as spiritually which is more to the point than indulging in a make-believe piety. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Ti.3:5)
"Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together." (v.3)
Jerusalem as a city of peace was never a city of brotherly love or in peace. Where the priestly class had established a status 'holier-than-thou' the name was a misnomer. Peace that can only be found in unswerving bond of peace between God and man eluded the city of Jerusalem then as now.
In rejecting the prince of peace we have instead a more realistic picture of the city and it came from the Man in whom God sent his gospel. . "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!/Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." The desolation of the house explained their nation which reflected their times and the world. Equally brutalized was their heart to reject the fear of God.
How would they fear what they have not believed? Truth in their inward parts they never looked at because the observance of sacrifices and traditions of their fathers made them complacent. In rejecting faith and relying on works they invited catastrophe. Going into exiles under Assyria and Babylon they had a illusion of Jerusalem as city of peace. It was a lie since they found no peace in their own soul. Is it not the case even now? "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:" (Is.48:18). It is to this Jesus referred,"For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord." (Matt.23:37-39)
This psalm composed by David can be approached literally as well as spiritually which is more to the point than indulging in a make-believe piety. "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Ti.3:5)
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