Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalms 48 is a powerful hymn celebrating God's magnificent protection of Jerusalem, His holy city. Like Psalms 46 and 47, it emphasizes the Lord's power and love, using Jerusalem as a tangible example of His greatness. It’s a song of triumph, assurance, and a call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness. The psalm might be rooted in a specific historical event like the defeat of Sennacherib's army (2 Kings 19) or the miraculous victory over a coalition of enemies during Jehoshaphat's reign (2 Chronicles 20), but its message resonates far beyond any single occurrence. The "Sons of Korah," credited with this psalm, were descendants of those who survived God's judgment (Numbers 16:25–32; 26:9–11) and were closely associated with the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:19–21), giving them a unique perspective on God's dwelling place.
God's Holy and Mighty City (Psalms 48:1-3)
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress." (Psalms 48:1-3)
The psalm opens with a declaration of God's greatness and worthiness of praise, specifically within the context of Jerusalem, referred to as "the city of our God" and "His holy mountain." Mount Zion, another name for Jerusalem, is described as beautiful, lofty, and "the joy of the whole earth." This wasn't just a geographical description; it was a statement of spiritual significance. Jerusalem was holy because God Himself dwelt there, particularly in the temple constructed by Solomon. Tony Evans notes that God's presence made the city holy, and His power made it mighty. God is present in her citadels, proving Himself to be a strong tower.
Enemies Overwhelmed by God's Power (Psalms 48:4-8)
"When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever." (Psalms 48:4-8)
These verses vividly portray the utter defeat of Jerusalem's enemies. The psalmist describes how kings who came to attack were "astounded" and "fled in terror." The imagery of trembling and pain like that of a woman in labor emphasizes the completeness of their defeat. The mention of "ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind" is likely symbolic, illustrating God's overwhelming power against any force that dares to oppose Him. This section highlights a crucial point: the enemies of God's people were defeated not by the strength of Israel's army, but by the strength of Israel's God. Even though Jerusalem would later be decimated by Babylon because of Israel's sin, God promises to establish it forever. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the millennial kingdom when Jesus will reign from Jerusalem and, ultimately, in the New Jerusalem of the new creation (Revelation 21:1-27).
Remembering and Proclaiming God's Faithfulness (Psalms 48:9-14)
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." (Psalms 48:9-14)
The psalmist shifts from describing God's power to celebrating His "unfailing love" (or faithful love), a love rooted in His covenant with His people. The praise of God extends to the ends of the earth, reflecting His universal faithfulness and justice. The people are encouraged to walk around Jerusalem, to observe its defenses, and to "tell of them to the next generation." This wasn't just about admiring architecture; it was about remembering and proclaiming God's faithfulness. It was a call to be confident that God will always lead His people.
This psalm offers profound encouragement. Just as God secured Jerusalem, He eternally keeps believers who trust in Him. As Romans 8:39 declares, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This same God who made His people secure then will eternally keep believers who trust Him.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Psalms 48 is a powerful hymn celebrating God's magnificent protection of Jerusalem, His holy city. Like Psalms 46 and 47, it emphasizes the Lord's power and love, using Jerusalem as a tangible example of His greatness. It’s a song of triumph, assurance, and a call to remember and proclaim God's faithfulness. The psalm might be rooted in a specific historical event like the defeat of Sennacherib's army (2 Kings 19) or the miraculous victory over a coalition of enemies during Jehoshaphat's reign (2 Chronicles 20), but its message resonates far beyond any single occurrence. The "Sons of Korah," credited with this psalm, were descendants of those who survived God's judgment (Numbers 16:25–32; 26:9–11) and were closely associated with the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:19–21), giving them a unique perspective on God's dwelling place.
God's Holy and Mighty City (Psalms 48:1-3)
"Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress." (Psalms 48:1-3)
The psalm opens with a declaration of God's greatness and worthiness of praise, specifically within the context of Jerusalem, referred to as "the city of our God" and "His holy mountain." Mount Zion, another name for Jerusalem, is described as beautiful, lofty, and "the joy of the whole earth." This wasn't just a geographical description; it was a statement of spiritual significance. Jerusalem was holy because God Himself dwelt there, particularly in the temple constructed by Solomon. Tony Evans notes that God's presence made the city holy, and His power made it mighty. God is present in her citadels, proving Himself to be a strong tower.
Enemies Overwhelmed by God's Power (Psalms 48:4-8)
"When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lord Almighty, in the city of our God: God makes her secure forever." (Psalms 48:4-8)
These verses vividly portray the utter defeat of Jerusalem's enemies. The psalmist describes how kings who came to attack were "astounded" and "fled in terror." The imagery of trembling and pain like that of a woman in labor emphasizes the completeness of their defeat. The mention of "ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind" is likely symbolic, illustrating God's overwhelming power against any force that dares to oppose Him. This section highlights a crucial point: the enemies of God's people were defeated not by the strength of Israel's army, but by the strength of Israel's God. Even though Jerusalem would later be decimated by Babylon because of Israel's sin, God promises to establish it forever. This promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the millennial kingdom when Jesus will reign from Jerusalem and, ultimately, in the New Jerusalem of the new creation (Revelation 21:1-27).
Remembering and Proclaiming God's Faithfulness (Psalms 48:9-14)
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end." (Psalms 48:9-14)
The psalmist shifts from describing God's power to celebrating His "unfailing love" (or faithful love), a love rooted in His covenant with His people. The praise of God extends to the ends of the earth, reflecting His universal faithfulness and justice. The people are encouraged to walk around Jerusalem, to observe its defenses, and to "tell of them to the next generation." This wasn't just about admiring architecture; it was about remembering and proclaiming God's faithfulness. It was a call to be confident that God will always lead His people.
This psalm offers profound encouragement. Just as God secured Jerusalem, He eternally keeps believers who trust in Him. As Romans 8:39 declares, nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This same God who made His people secure then will eternally keep believers who trust Him.