Jerusalem is Greatly to be Praised

Commentary

Church history would indicate that this Psalm was written to commemorate the defeat of Sennacherib and the powerful Assyrian army. In his pride and ambition, he had thought the conquest of Jerusalem was a foregone conclusion. However he had failed to take into account that he was taking on the very God of heaven. Jerusalem was not like other cities. It was not like Athens, Carthage or Rome. It is true that from a military standpoint it could only be approached from the north as it was surrounded on the east, south and west by deep valleys and the entire city had towering walls. However its main line of protection was not its terrain but God Himself (v. 1). The only reason the Babylonians and Romans were able to take it in later years was because of the peoples sin and God abandoned it. Ezekiel saw the Shekinah glory leave the city (Ez. 8:4; Ez. 10:19).

In Hezekiah’s day, it was different. He was not trusting in the massive city walls, nor in its secret water supply but He was trusting in God. There in his palace, he and Isaiah would listen to the latest news reports and take into consideration the great military power of the Assyrians. Then they would get on their knees in prayer and tell the Lord that they were no match for their foes and that they were depending on Him for deliverance (vv. 2-3). When the enemy did attack it says, “Fear took hold upon them . . . as of a woman in travail” (vv. 4-8).  It isn’t surprising when we read elsewhere that the angel of God descended on the Assyrian army and in a single night smote 185,000 men. Can you imagine how the remaining survivors must have felt?

Application

Who do I in reality put my trust in? Is it in my family, my job, my money or in the Lord Himself?  I am the only one who can answer this question.