Psalms 48:2-12

2 Zion, the mountain of God, is high and beautiful; ¹ the city of the great king brings joy to all the world.

3 God has shown that there is safety with him inside the fortresses of the city.

4 The kings gathered together and came to attack Mount Zion.

5 But when they saw it, they were amazed; they were afraid and ran away.

6 There they were seized with fear and anguish, like a woman about to bear a child,

7 like ships tossing in a furious storm.

8 We have heard what God has done, and now we have seen it in the city of our God, the Lord Almighty; he will keep the city safe forever.

9 Inside your Temple, O God, we think of your constant love.

10 You are praised by people everywhere, and your fame extends over all the earth. You rule with justice;

11 let the people of Zion be glad! You give right judgments; let there be joy in the cities of Judah!

12 People of God, walk around Zion and count the towers;

Psalms 48:2-12 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 48

\\<>\\. This psalm is entitled a "song psalm", a psalm to be sung vocally; or "a song and psalm" to be sung both vocally and instrumentally; and is one of the spiritual songs the apostle speaks of, Eph 5:19; It was occasioned, as some think, by David's spoiling the Philistines, 2Sa 5:17-21; or, as others, by the deliverance of the people from the Moabites and Ammonites in the times of Jehoshaphat, 2Ch 20:27,28; or, as others, by the deliverance of the inhabitants of Jerusalem from Sennacherib in the times of Hezekiah, 2Ki 19:34,35; though as Kimchi, a celebrated Jewish commentator, owns, it belongs to the times of the Messiah, as the other preceding psalms; and treats of his greatness, and of the praise and glory due to him, and gives large encomiums of his church.

Cross References

• 1. 48.2Matthew 5.35.