Psalms 50:2
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Original Language Analysis
מִצִּיּ֥וֹן
Out of Zion
H6726
מִצִּיּ֥וֹן
Out of Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
1 of 5
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
Cross References
Psalms 48:2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.Revelation 21:23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.Revelation 1:16And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.Deuteronomy 33:2And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.Isaiah 12:6Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.Psalms 94:1O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.Habakkuk 2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.Hosea 5:15I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.Lamentations 2:15All that pass by clap their hands at thee; they hiss and wag their head at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying, Is this the city that men call The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?
Historical Context
Zion theology emphasized Jerusalem as the place of God's special presence. 'Shining forth' indicates visible manifestation of divine glory, terrifying to enemies, comforting to the faithful.
Questions for Reflection
- Why is Zion called 'the perfection of beauty'?
- How does God 'shine' from His dwelling place?
Analysis & Commentary
Zion as source of revelation: 'Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.' The 'perfection of beauty' describes Jerusalem as God's dwelling, from which His glory radiates. Divine 'shining' recalls Sinai's theophany and anticipates ultimate glory when God dwells with His people.