Life in the Land:

—How I love this city, home to the ancients like David and Isaiah, a city long conflicted, yet home to the greatest story ever told, that Jesus died for sinful men and then rose from the grave to triumph over death.

The tram bells along Jaffa Road, the persistent voices of hawkers up and down David Street and the joyful bar mitzvahs at the Western Wall tug at my heart even as I write from a distant land.

I can’t explain fully why I feel such a deep affection for Jerusalem, but when I listen to the descriptive words of this song with its haunting tune, I’m drawn to the refrain, “Behold, I am a violin for all your songs.” Indeed, I cannot help but share with others how the city of Jerusalem has captured my heart! May the hope of Jesus color any sadness associated with the city, for one day he will return to her and “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26).

—“Jerusalem of God” was first sung on May 15, 1967 at the Israeli Song Festival to celebrate Israel’s nineteenth anniversary. At that time the Old City of Jerusalem remained in Jordanian hands, but when the Six-Day War broke out on June 5, this song soared in popularity, for twenty-three days after its first performance, Israeli paratroopers retook the Old City of Jerusalem, the Temple Mount, and the Western Wall, adding tremendous impact to the words. Still today it is one of Israel’s most beloved songs.

—Daniel McCabe

You may hear Jerusalem of Gold on YouTube.