Scripture Reading: Psa. 46—48
Ⅰ
Psalm 46 is a continuation of Psalm 45; Psalm 45 is on the king, and Psalm 46 is on the city:
A
As the One unveiled in Psalm 45, Christ needs a city in which to rule and reign.
B
In Psalm 45 Christ, typified by Solomon, is unveiled and praised as the King; immediately afterward, Psalm 46 speaks of the city—a kingdom for ruling.
C
We may enjoy Christ as the King, and this King reigns in the city, which is His kingdom.
Ⅱ
When the church is enlarged, strengthened, and built up, the house of God becomes the city of God as the kingdom for the God-King to rule and reign—Matt. 16:18-19:
A
As the house, the church is God's home, the place of His dwelling; as the city, the church is God's kingdom, the place of His ruling—Eph. 2:21-22, 19.
B
The church is for the kingdom, that is, the house is for the city; eventually, the house of God becomes the holy city, the New Jerusalem—Rev. 21:2-3.
C
Both the church and the kingdom are the increase of Christ; whereas the church is Christ's increase in life, the kingdom is Christ's increase in administration—John 3:29a, 30a; Dan. 2:34-35.
D
The church as the house of God must be enlarged to become the church as the city of God—1 Tim. 3:15; Rev. 5:9-10:
１
The first step of the enlargement of Christ is the church as the house of God—Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Tim. 3:15.
２
The second step of the enlargement of Christ is the church as the kingdom of God—Rom. 14:17.
E
The house is mainly with Christ as life, and the city is mainly with Christ as the Head—Col. 3:4; 1:18; 2:19:
１
If we experience Christ as life but do not realize that He is the Head, we have the church as the house but not yet as the city.
２
When we realize that Christ is not only our life but also our Head, the church will be not only the house but also the city.
３
The real building of the city is to help all the saints to realize the headship of Christ—Eph. 4:15-16.
Ⅲ
Psalms 46—48 are on the church as the city of God; here the church has become the city over which God rules and from which God reigns:
A
Psalm 46 is an unveiling of the God who meets our needs in the city:
１
In the city God is our refuge, strength, and help in distress; He is most readily found—v. 1.
２
In the city, the ruling center of God in His kingdom, there is "a river whose streams gladden the city of God"—v. 4:
ａ
This river signifies the flowing of the Triune God as life to us, as mentioned in Revelation 22:1-2a.
ｂ
In the city—the enlarged, strengthened, and built-up church—we have the flow of living water; therefore, we are the most joyful people.
３
In the city we enjoy God as our place of retreat—Psa. 46:7b, 11b.
４
This city, which cannot be moved, is the unshakable kingdom—v. 5a; Heb. 12:28:
ａ
The kingdom is unshakable in its substance, which is God—Psa. 46:5a.
ｂ
The kingdom is unshakable in its foundation, which is Christ—Matt. 16:18; Eph. 2:20; 1 Cor. 3:11.
ｃ
The kingdom is unshakable in its structure, which is the church—Matt. 16:18-19; 18:18-20; Rom. 14:17.
ｄ
The kingdom is unshakable in its constituents, which are the riches of the processed and consummated Triune God—2 Cor. 13:14.
ｅ
The kingdom is unshakable in its expression, which is the glory of the Triune God, God Himself expressed in His glory—Rev. 21:10-11.
５
God helps her at the dawn of the morning; when we are in the morning, God is our help after the night of trial—Psa. 46:5b.
６
When the church has been enlarged, strengthened, and built up as the city, God will be able to say to the nations, "Be still and know that I am God. / I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted on earth"—v. 10.
B
In Psalm 47 we have the God-King ruling over the earth through the city:
１
In the city God sits on His throne and reigns over the nations—vv. 7-8.
２
In Psalm 46 God is our enjoyment and meets our needs; in Psalm 47 God in Christ is the King over all the earth through the city—v. 2.
３
When the church becomes the city, God will subdue the peoples through the city and rule over all the earth in Christ as the King.
４
The church as the city will bring the entire earth under God's authority and kingship in Christ—Matt. 6:9-10; Rev. 11:15.
C
Psalm 48 is about the city of the great King; here we have God in the climactic experience of the city:
１
When we are built up as a city, God's greatness will be expressed, and God will be greatly praised—v. 1.
２
When the church is enlarged, strengthened, and built up, the church is elevated, and that elevation is Mount Zion—v. 2.
３
The built-up church causes the enemies to be dismayed and to hurry off in alarm—vv. 4-6.
４
In the church as the city, God is our Guide, even unto death; He will guide us until we die and go to Paradise—v. 14.