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We must not explain away what is Jewish and earthly because of what is christian and heavenly. The city spoken of in the psalm before us is surely Jerusalem in Canaan, which is to be the centre of blessing and of government for the whole world, as it is written, "Out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He shall judge, i.e., rule among the nations" etc. (Isaiah 2:3). If the saints of old were looking for heaven, death would have been a step in the direction of their hope, and there would have been nothing particularly remarkable in their dying in faith. But seeing that they looked for the fulfilment of God's promises concerning Palestine, it was stupendous faith for them to believe that, though they died out of it, God would give it them. But to return: — "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved. God shall help her and that right early." This must be the earthly city. The heavenly one when established will need no help. It will be out of the reach of harm. Not so the earthly: even at the close of her millennial peace and blessing there will be the hosts of Gog and Magog gathered against her. But God shall help her and that right early: no long conflict, no long siege, no protracted slaughter, shall characterize her deliverance. Fire shall come down from heaven and consume them (Rev. 20:9).