Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. 2 It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. 3 God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, 5 they saw [her] and were astounded; they fled in terror. 6 Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. 7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. Selah

Near the height of the glory of the kingdom of Israel, the Psalmist looks around the city of Jerusalem and is in awe because of its beauty. He is stunned with the magnificence of the structures that have arisen. It is from this that he turns his mind to praise God who has made all this possible. Not only has God given him this wonderful city but it is just the capital of a world empire. God has blessed him as king and his kingdom as God’s special people. Not only has God made all this happen but he continues to sustain them and protect them from their enemies.

All too often when we are given success we want to take all the honor and think we have accomplished it on our own. As in the case of the Psalmist, we must recognize that we only have what God has given and provided for us. We must never fail to give God the glory and praise him for his goodness toward us. “To God be the glory, great things he has done!”

As God’s people today we are just as special to him as were the Israelites of that day. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. As God’s special people today we are to praise him as did the Psalmist. While we do not have the physical kingdom we are citizens of his spiritual nation. But even as great as was that earthly kingdom it was later destroyed. The new kingdom of God today, (his people – his church) is but a foretaste of heaven itself. We are living here in preparation of eternity in his presence. No wonder we are to be filled with praise for his Holy Name!

Lord God, help me to have the humble attitude of your Son Jesus who gave up the glories of heaven to live and die for me on this earth. In that humility, help me to always give you the praise and glory and honor in all things. I thank you for the material possessions you give but even more for the spiritual blessings in Christ. Use me in your will. In Jesus name I pray.

May God bless each of us as we humble ourselves before him.