Psalms 48:13

13 consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.

Psalms 48:13 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
English Standard Version (ESV)
13 consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation
New Living Translation (NLT)
13 Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations.
The Message Bible (MSG)
13 Gaze long at her sloping bulwark, climb her citadel heights - Then you can tell the next generation detail by detail the story of God,
American Standard Version (ASV)
13 Mark ye well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces: That ye may tell it to the generation following.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
13 Examine its embankments. Walk through its palaces. Then you can tell the next generation,
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
13 note its ramparts; tour its citadels so that you can tell a future generation:
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
13 Think carefully about its outer walls. Just look at how safe it is! Then you can tell its people that God keeps them safe.

Psalms 48:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 48:13

Mark ye well her bulwarks
Such as the free favour of God in Christ; which is not only as a shield, but as a bulwark to the church; his everlasting love, electing grace, the covenant of grace, with its blessings and promises, all which are more immovable than rocks and mountains; and especially the power of God, which surrounds his church, as the mountains did Jerusalem; and by which they are kept and preserved as in a garrison, ( Psalms 125:2 ) ( 1 Peter 1:5 ) . Also salvation by Christ; his righteousness, sacrifice, and satisfaction, which God has appointed for walls and bulwarks, and which make the city, the church, a strong and impregnable one, ( Isaiah 26:1 ) . Likewise the Spirit of God, and his operations and influences, which are a standard against the enemy's flood of opposition and persecution; and who being in his church and people, is greater than he that is in the world, ( Isaiah 59:19 ) ( 1 John 4:4 ) . Some render the words, set "your hearts on her strength", as the Vulgate Latin version; that is, on Christ, who is the strength of the poor and needy in their distress; the strength of their hearts, of their lives, and of their salvation, and the security of the church. Others readier them, "set your hearts on her armies"; as the Targum is; her volunteers, her soldiers, who endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, fight the Lord's battles, and are more than conquerors through him; and a lovely sight it is to behold them, with Christ at the head of them; see ( Revelation 19:14 ) ;

consider her palaces;
for Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, have their dwelling places in Zion; and here, besides apostles, prophets, evangelists, and ordinary ministers of the word, who are rulers and officers set in the first place, every saint is a prince and a king; and has a place and a name here, better than that of sons and daughters of the greatest potentate on earth; every dwelling place in Mount Zion is a palace.

that ye may tell [it] to the generation following:
that is, the beauty and glory, strength and safety of the church; and even all that is spoken of her in this psalm, as well as what follows: this is the end proposed by taking a circuit round Zion, and making the above observations on it.

Psalms 48:13 In-Context

11 Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers,
13 consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation.
14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Cross References 3

  • 1. 2 Samuel 20:15; Isaiah 26:1; Lamentations 2:8; Habakkuk 2:1
  • 2. S ver 3; Psalms 122:7
  • 3. Psalms 71:18; Psalms 78:6; Psalms 109:13
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