HAVE WE ENOUGH EVIDENCE?
“Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.” Psa. 147:12
Men have since the days of Samuel tried to exercise government without God’s leadership or input. Do we have enough evidence yet that man takes us slowly but surely to ruin. The debt climbs at an astronomical rate and with no sense of accountability. And it is always the guys fault that was just in office. Lawlessness abounds as foretold and the school system produces kids with are taught that they are to make their own determination of what is right and wrong. God has no input with our kids anymore. They leave the church in astonishing numbers after being taught for 12 years.
But look here at the central note of this song as its burden is revealed. It follows the previous song in a natural sequence, in that the note was personal, but it ended with the vision of the God of Zion reigning forever. This song is characterized by the civic note. The singer is meditating upon the things resulting in the life of the City, when it is at this point under the government of God. After the introductory sentences, the first reason for praise is given in the words: "Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem.'' Our minds go back to "The Songs of Ascents" in which the thoughts circled round the City of God and the Temple (Psa. 120-134). In one of them the words occur: "Except Jehovah build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except Jehovah keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain." Now we have a song of praise for the City built up by Jehovah, and the results of that building up are set forth. It is a City of peace and of prosperity, a social order, created by the redeeming and restoring activity of God, in which, not wickedness nor material strength, but meekness, fear of Jehovah, and all spiritual forces are triumphant. All this the song sets forth pictorially, with fine poetic illustrations. Moreover, the true function of such a City in the interest of the world is described. From such a City, "He sendeth out His commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly." The more this song of praise concerning an ideal city is pondered, the more remarkable is it found to be in its spiritual apprehension.
It is interesting to note that in this portrayal of the City build up by Jehovah, there is no reference to the House of God, the Temple, which was so constantly in mind in "The Songs of Ascents." Let this omission be compared with the last picture in the Bible of the City of God, and especially with the statement, "I saw no Temple therein" (Rev. 21:22).
But look here at the central note of this song as its burden is revealed. It follows the previous song in a natural sequence, in that the note was personal, but it ended with the vision of the God of Zion reigning forever. This song is characterized by the civic note. The singer is meditating upon the things resulting in the life of the City, when it is at this point under the government of God. After the introductory sentences, the first reason for praise is given in the words: "Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem.'' Our minds go back to "The Songs of Ascents" in which the thoughts circled round the City of God and the Temple (Psa. 120-134). In one of them the words occur: "Except Jehovah build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except Jehovah keep the City, the watchman waketh but in vain." Now we have a song of praise for the City built up by Jehovah, and the results of that building up are set forth. It is a City of peace and of prosperity, a social order, created by the redeeming and restoring activity of God, in which, not wickedness nor material strength, but meekness, fear of Jehovah, and all spiritual forces are triumphant. All this the song sets forth pictorially, with fine poetic illustrations. Moreover, the true function of such a City in the interest of the world is described. From such a City, "He sendeth out His commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly." The more this song of praise concerning an ideal city is pondered, the more remarkable is it found to be in its spiritual apprehension.
It is interesting to note that in this portrayal of the City build up by Jehovah, there is no reference to the House of God, the Temple, which was so constantly in mind in "The Songs of Ascents." Let this omission be compared with the last picture in the Bible of the City of God, and especially with the statement, "I saw no Temple therein" (Rev. 21:22).
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