Psalm 48:12-14 Boast to the Lord's Enemies

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:17; cf Jeremiah 9:23-24). The Sons of Korah give us a great example of this in Psalm 48, which we started studying last week. If you missed the first three lessons, please check them out before continuing. Otherwise…

Please read Psalm 48:12-14.

There is some debate as to whom the psalmist is addressing in these final verses. Some believe that he is continuing to address his fellow believers, and the daughters of Judah, and continuing to urge them to rejoice in their God. I agree with others who believe that the psalmist is using a pattern of: addressing the city (1-3), addressing their enemies (4-7), addressing the city (8-11), and addressing their enemies (12-14). This seems to fit his poetic devices more than the other option.

Therefore, the psalmist is turning his attention back to those enemies who were defeated at the gates. They thought they could defeat the Lord’s city, but they were sorely mistaken. They underestimated the height of its towers, the strength of its walls, the will of its people, and, most importantly, the power of its God. The psalmist may have feared for his own life a few days before, as the anticipation of the battle drew near. But now that God has proven His strength by defeating His enemies, the psalmist’s faith is renewed.

He boldly shouts out to His enemies, “come at me again!” “Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels.” He is basically telling his enemies to do a thorough inventory of this great city of God. Examine every crevice for a weakness, but you will find none. This city is protected by God, and you will never defeat it! Nor will your children defeat it, or their children. All who attack God’s city will fail, so make sure you tell your children and your children’s children to not even try. God is greater than anything you can throw at us!

If only Christians would have this confidence! Jesus Christ has proven Himself stronger than death. He has proven Himself more powerful than sin or Satan or any other enemy that we could face. He has been tempted in every way that we are, yet He is without sin. He has walked this earth as a poor carpenter’s son, knowing poverty (2 Corinthians 8:9), hunger (Mark 11:12), thirst (John 19:28), anger (Mark 3:5), weariness (John 4:6), sadness (John 11:35), dirtiness (Jesus never sinned, but that doesn’t mean He never got dirty! Matthew 10:14; Luke 7:44; John 13:10), and abuse (Matthew 27:29).

Jesus has gone through everything that we could imagine (and much that is beyond our imagination), and he overcame! He is more powerful than any enemy that we could ever face. Jesus is worthy of all praise!

When our enemies come at us with boasting of their power, we can remind them that our Lord is greater than they are! He was tempted in every way, yet was without sin, and the Holy Spirit who lived in Him now lives in me! Through Jesus Christ, I can do all things (Philippians 4:13). No enemy can stand against my God!