The first two verses emphasize how special Zion is. No place can be compared to it. The reason for this is God’s choice for this place. This is echoed in many other psalms (Psalm 46:5; Psalm 50:2; Psalm 78:68; Psalm 132:13–14). Therefore the temple had to be built on that location. There the offerings went up in smoke; there peace was distributed between God and the people. For centuries it was a beautiful place where people loved to be. This is perceptible in the words: I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord
(Psalm 122:1). After all, nothing is more beautiful than experiencing God’s love.
1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;