The author sees it. In heaven the Lord writes the names of this once distant people, whom are now near, in his book (the book of life,
Exodus 32:32; Psalm 69:28; see especially Luke 10:20 and Revelation 20:12). This sure joyful writing of God in heaven may give us hope and certainty on earth. Parents can let this sink in when they have their children baptized. At that moment one can sing from this Psalm:
“The Lord will establish and sustain her
and on his scroll where he writes the nations,
count them as conscripted into Israel
and make bear the name of Zion’s children” (Psalm 87:4 rhymed).
Knowing that our child belongs to that great multitude of Zion’s children is something to keep in mind for a lifetime. Zion is the safest place on earth. And that is especially because God is very near there. That city and this Mighty God are therefore exuberantly praised in Psalm 48:1–14. As this is confessed with great power and joy: As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever
(Psalm 48:8).
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Selah