A Place of Safety.

This is literally a 'holy place', a place set apart. Both the Tabernacle and the Temple (q.v.) are referred to in the Bible as 'God's Sanctuary' which Israel were to regard with respect (see Numbers 3:38; 2 Chronicles 2:6-9).

The mediaeval Christian church had a 'Law of Sanctuary', that when a man was pursued by his enemies he could take refuge at the altar of a church, where he was safe from attack until the Church could investigate his case. This originates in part from the provision in Israel of 'cities of refuge' to which someone who had accidentally killed a man might escape and find refuge from his avengers (see Numbers ch.35).

David, in poetic language, speaks of the whole world as God's sanctuary (in Psalm 96:6). This is David's vision of the time when all God's chosen people will be given a place of safety in God's kingdom. This echoes the song which Moses taught Israel to sing after they were delivered from Egypt: "By the power of your arm…O Lord…you will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance-the place, O Lord, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. The Lord will reign for ever and ever." (Exodus 15:16-18).