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I. THE CHARACTER here given of the people of God, couched in Old Testament language, in that they are called inhabitants of Zion. To understand the meaning of the words, "inhabitant of Zion," as describing the people of God in every age, we should first remember that Zion was literally a hill in the land of Judea. There was a hill in the southern part of the promised land, on which, or on part of which, the city of Jerusalem was built, and this hill had two peaks, the one called Zion proper, and the other called Mount Moriah, and while Jerusalem stood on one of these peaks, or Zion proper, the temple was built by appointment on the other of these peaks, or Mount Moriah, but the whole together was called the hill of Zion, of Mount Zion, and accordingly in the 2nd Psalm we read, "Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion," and again, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth; is Mount Zion," plainly showing that this was a hill in the land of Judea. But, as I have said, on one peak or top of this hill the temple of Solomon was placed, and hence the word "Zion" came by a common figure of speech to be transferred from the mountain to the temple, the most prominent feature on the mountain, and in this sense I think we have it in the 87th Psalm, "The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Understanding, then, by the word "Zion" the temple, an "inhabitant of Zion" now calls up the idea of a person who lives in and about the temple; and, indeed, the will of God was, that all His ancient people should live as much as may be in and about the temple. But we must remember that the temple was intended to be a type of the human nature of our Lord, or of God in our nature (John 2:19-21). An inhabitant of Zion is one who is much versant with Christ.

II. THE PRIVILEGE connected with this character. "Great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." The Holy One of Israel, or the God that went out and in among the people of Israel, the God that brought them out of the land of Egypt, and through a variety of vicissitudes landed them at last in the Canaan of promise, was no other than the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:9). But it is particularly the privilege of all the inhabitants of Zion, that they have the protection of Him at all times who is the Almighty, and who is, "therefore, able to prevail against all opposition." Great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. These last words convey the idea of a garrison, which, being in the very centre of a place fortified, contains armed men ready to run out from this central point, whenever they are called or required. So Christ, the Holy One, is in the midst of the Church, in the midst of the believer individually, because quite prepared to run out to any point where His people are weak and unprotected. If any of God's people be poor in this world, they need not have recourse to unlawful methods to secure for them and their families bread to eat, and raiment to put on, for their Heavenly Father knows they need these things, and He will give them to them, in the use of the lawful means put in their power. It intimates God reconciled in Christ to provide for their souls. He will provide for them the means of grace. But once more, it makes part of the privilege of God's people, that they are to see the greatness of the glory of God ultimately. Now God says that the very greatness of His glory shines out in the work of redemption — that there is more of that great invisible God brought out to intelligent creatures, by the work of redemption, than by any work which God created.

III. THE DUTY that God expects of His people, in consequence of their understanding this. "Cry out and shout." And here we are taught —

1. That courage is our duty — boldness. "Cry out and shout." Why? Because there is no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus.

2. Cheerfulness.

3. Holding forth the Word of life.Concluding remarks —

1. How very far below their privilege do some professing Christians live!

2. Privilege always goes before duty.

3. The words are spoken to individuals.

(J. Muir, D. D.)

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KJV: Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

WEB: Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great in the midst of you!"