And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
The Lord will create - the 'new creation' needs as much God's creative omnipotence as the material creation (2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10). So it shall be in the case of the Holy Jerusalem to come (Isaiah 65:17-18, "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth ... be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy"). Upon every dwelling-place (Hebrew, mekon, a prepared place; a sure and fixed seat, as opposed to a shifting tent) of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day. The pillar of cloud stood over the tabernacle, as symbol of God's favour and presence (Exodus 13:21-22; Psalms 91:1). Both on individual families ("every dwelling") and on the general sacred "assemblies" (Leviticus 23:2). The "cloud" became a "fire" by night, in order to be seen by the Lord's people.
For upon all the glory, shall be a defense - `upon the glorious whole;' namely, the Lord's people and sanctuary. Or else, 'upon whatever the glory (the Shekinah spoken of in the previous clause) shall rest, there shall be a defense'-literally, 'upon the whole the glory shall be the defense' or covering. The symbol of His presence shall ensure also safety. So it was to Israel against the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:19-20). So it shall be to literal Jerusalem hereafter (Zechariah 2:5, "I saith the Lord, will he unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her"). Also to the Church, the spiritual "Zion" (Isaiah 32:18; Isaiah 33:15-17; Hebrews 12:22).