Psalm76:2

Psalm 76:2

His dwelling place in Zion

As we know, Salem is the shortened version of Jerusalem but the word “salem” is, of course, a derivation of “shalom”, the Hebrew word for peace. So, the name Jerusalem literally means, “the city of peace!” It’s hard to think of any place on earth that has experienced less peace but that is because it is the chosen city of the chosen people – Israel. And God’s dwelling place on earth is always going to be at the centre of conflict between good and evil.

Zion was a specific hill to the east of Jerusalem that housed a fortified citadel, and it was the site of David’s royal palace. Zion is adjacent to Mt Moriah where the Temple was built. Zion came to symbolise Jerusalem, the Temple Mount and then Israel itself, because the name means “highest point.” 

What is curious about this verse is that the two Hebrew words used here for tent and dwelling-place are similar to those that describe a lion’s den or lair. Maybe there is a deliberate ploy to depict the Lord God as a lion who is waiting to overcome his prey? In other words, Jerusalem and Zion are places of power and places to be feared! Whatever meaning these words convey, the over-riding message is that the one, true God had chosen Jerusalem as His dwelling place on earth, and this elevated the Holy City above all other locations on earth at the time. 

We need to remember that the Lord will rule from Zion when He returns to the earth, the city is not just an ancient relic, it is a modern capital, and one day will be the central location in the coming Kingdom of our God. Hallelujah

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