Psalm 48 celebrates the glory of God in the city of God. The King has come (Ps 45) and his city is prepared (Ps 46) as the nations of the earth all praise him (Ps 47). So, now he takes his rightful place upon Mount Zion in Jerusalem (Ps 48).[1] Today, God’s dwelling place is not in one particular nation, or atop one specific mountain, or in a building like the temple. Now he dwells within his holy people—his believing church—who radiate his beauty when he is present in them.
Praise God for His Majestic Beauty (vv. 1-3)
This psalm written by the Sons of Korah both begins and ends in praise: “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress” (vv. 1-3, see vv. 12-14).[2] The Lord himself is a strong defense as depicted by his citadels (46:7, 11). He is high and lifted up like this city on a hill and “beautiful in elevation” as his people look toward heaven (2:6; 3:4; 15:1; 43:3; 99:9).[3] The Lord God of Jerusalem is her great and mighty King who is worthy to be praised (47:2; 48:2; see Matt 5:35).
We soon realize that Mount Zion is in the south of Israel and not “the far north.” Yet the psalmist appears to compare it with Mount Zaphon (“north”) which lies on the border between the Holy Land and Syria.[4] There, the Canaanites claimed that Baal dwelt upon his “beautiful hill,” his “inheritance,” his “holy mountain,” and a “lovely, mighty mountain” (see Isa 14:13). So, by attributing such majestic beauty to Mount Zion, Psalm 48 deliberately argues that Yahweh, the Most High God, is greater than Baal-Zaphon and that his dwelling place is also greater (46:4; 47:2, 7).[5] Zion is “the joy of all the earth,” for all the nations can clearly view its exalted stature. From north (vv. 1-3) and east (vv. 4-7) and south (vv. 9-11) and west (vv. 12-14), all peoples look to Zion (v. 8).[6]
Jerusalem was not the mightiest city in the region and Zion was not the highest hill. Yet her glory became legendary through all of history because God’s glory dwelt therein. So also, when Christ Jesus came into the world, “The Word became flesh and dwelt [lit. “tabernacled”] among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; Heb 1:3). He is the Anointed King we praise with joy from north, east, south, and west for he was high and lifted up. Likewise, the church today displays God’s glory when his Spirit dwells within: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18; John 17:22). We radiate God’s majestic beauty when we love and serve each other: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:16; see John 13:34-35). Therefore, let us not glory in the church herself or in our virtues as individual believers, but in our glorious God who is our fortress and our strength.
Praise God for His Sovereign Protection (vv. 4-7)
From the majestic city, the psalmist then turns his attention to face God’s enemies: “For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together. As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor” (Ps 48:4-6).[7] As in every age, the worldly wicked plot and scheme against the Lord and his Anointed (2:1-2). They approach Mount Zion, preparing to take it by force.[8] But when they see its towering ramparts, they are frozen in their tracks. The verbs tumble out in quick succession: they see, they are astounded, they panic, and take flight even before the battle. They grow weak in the knees like a woman writhing in her labor (e.g., Isa 13:8). And so, God’s people are saved once more. Not only that, but God sends a mighty east wind to shatter the enemy ships at sea (48:7; e.g., 1 Kgs 22:48; Jon 1:4; Ezek 27:26; Rev 18:17-20).[9] Such total defeat and destruction leave them helpless to attack again.
Our God is a God of action who backs up his reputation. He does not simply reside within a shiny city and rely on intimidation. He strikes fear into the heart love his enemies because he is a fearsome God. He gives assurance to his people who praise his sovereign protection. As the church, we often feel assailed by our enemies in the world. It seems they plot and scheme to shame us and to nullify our witness. So, we must remember that we are not mighty in ourselves, but that we serve a Mighty God. We are not to promote the church’s glory, but to trust our Protector to fight on our behalf. We will face enemies from every sector, but our faith in God will turn them all away.
Praise God for His Enduring Presence (v. 8)
God’s people had heard of him from their fathers and mothers, but now they witness his glory for themselves: “As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God, which God will establish forever. Selah” (Ps 48:8). They pause at the Selah to reflect on God and their response of exultation stands in stark contrast to the frightened nations (vv. 4-7). For the holy city is their confidence and the Commander of the heavenly hosts remains their strong defense. His enduring presence assures their everlasting peace.
So also, we must listen to the testimony of older saints who have gone before us. Their faith emboldens us to trust in God. And as we do so, we will see with eyes of faith ourselves. He is our strong city, our faithful Protector, and enduring presence. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). And one day, God will return his glory to the city of Jerusalem upon Mount Zion. He will restore his people and gather worshipers from around the world: north, east, south, and west. He will reign forever as the King of kings who dwells within his holy city in the new heaven and the new earth:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Rev 21:1-5).
Praise God for His Righteous Character (vv. 9-11)
As God’s people worship in the temple, they remember all his victories and revere his righteous character: “We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple” (v. 9). God’s hesed love assures his promises, for he is ever faithful to his covenant people. His name, Yahweh, proclaims his glory and fills the earth with praise: “As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness” (v. 10). His right hand of power and authority is altogether for our good. So, the city delights in God, for everything he says and does upholds his justice: “Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments!” (v. 11). His deeds display his righteous character from Israel to all the nations—from Zion to Zaphon—from the temple in Jerusalem to every village throughout Judah and the ends of all the earth.[10]
So also in worship, we meditate on the steadfast love of God. We remember his righteous deeds and his faithfulness to keep his promises. We delight in the manifold splendor of his name as he declares his holy character and we proclaim our praises throughout the earth. All glory goes to him!
Praise God for His Eternal Glory (vv. 12-14)
The psalmist concludes by inviting God’s people to circumnavigate the holy city, to count its towers, to contemplate its ramparts (lit., “Set your heart upon her strength”), and to explore its citadels. Then, they could fully recount God’s glory to their children: “Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever” (vv. 12-14). God’s holy city would display his glory. The final phrase, “He will guide us forever,” could literally be rendered, “He will lead us over death.”[11] For even in death, our God remains ever faithful and eternally glorious.
The psalmist pictures the city of Jerusalem as representing God. Her might is his. Her towers and citadels represent his strong protection. So, he exhorts God’s people to consider God as they walk around God’s city. Then, their hearts will rise with praise. They will have much to tell their children and their children’s children. And they will carry the comfort of their saving God even to the grave. So also, we set our hearts upon God’s strength by considering his working in our world: his mighty deeds, his grand creation, his called out church, his promise of the holy city all point to God’s eternal plan. Therefore, we walk in faith with eyes to see and ears to hear and tongues to praise his glory.
Counsel Psalm 48
Many counselees have lost sight of God’s glory or have forgotten their role as image-bearers (Gen 1:27). Psalm 48 calls them back to faithful trust in God. We can help them see once more God’s majestic beauty and his righteous deeds. We can teach them to rejoice in his holy name and proclaim his praise once more. By doing so, we assure them of God’s enduring presence and his sovereign protection as their mighty fortress.
Projects for Growth from Psalm 48
- What enemies do you face in life—physical, spiritual, or emotional (vv. 4-7)? How do they plot and scheme against you? How do they threaten you by their worldly strength? In what ways does God promise to protect you?
- Draw a picture of Jerusalem’s towers, ramparts, and citadels (look up an artist’s rendition if you need help). On the walls of the city, write down all the names and attributes of God you can remember. On the towers, recall his righteous deeds as recorded in the Scriptures and in your own life. Praise him for his majestic beauty and his mighty strength (vv. 1-3, 8, 12).
- Pause in worship this week to consider God’s steadfast love toward you and his covenant promises for your future (vv. 9-11). Praise him for his righteous power and his sovereign goodness. Picture his glory once more filling the holy city of the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-5).
- Read the lyrics of John Newton’s hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken” (1779), accessed at https://hymnary.org/text/glorious_things_of_thee_are_spoken.
- How can you express God’s praise to your children and your children’s children (Ps 48:13)? How can you declare his glory throughout the nations of the earth? Plan out some practical steps to bear God’s image through the ministries of missions, discipleship, and evangelism.
Pray Psalm 48
- O Lord God, be greatly exalted among the nations (vv. 1-3).
- May the peoples of the earth be astounded by your mighty deeds (vv. 4-7).
- Assure me of your enduring presence both now and for all time (v. 8).
- Focus my thoughts upon your faithful lovingkindness and your righteous character (vv. 9-11).
- Fill me with such joy that overflows to my children and my children’s children (v. 13).
- Lord, shepherd me until the day I go to be with you (v. 14).
[1] Hamilton suggests the following chiasm:
1–3, God’s glory in Zion’s splendid citadels
4–7, Kings astounded, ships shattered
8, God establishes his city
9–11, God’s lovingkindness, righteousness, and judgments
12–14, God’s glory in Zion’s towers, ramparts, and citadels
[2] This inclusio, along with the central focus of the chiasm, reflects the focus of this psalm on the glory of God depicted in his city. As Craigie wrote, “The substance of the Songs of Zion may appear superficially to be the praise of Mount Zion in the holy city; [but] at a deeper level, it is the praise of God, whose presence and protection is symbolized by the holy mountain and its sanctuary” (P. C. Craigie, Psalms 1–50, vol. 19 in the Word Biblical Commentary [Waco, TX: Word, 1983], 352). And Leupold, “The conclusion that this psalm draws is that the God who dwells at Zion is immeasurably great and will be a sure defense of all who put their trust in him, as Psalm 46 had already pointed out with emphasis” (H. C. Leupold, Exposition of the Psalms [Grand Rapids: Baker, 1969], 375).
[3] Jerusalem itself rose 2,500 feet above sea level. From every direction, pilgrims had to walk uphill to Zion. And there, upon the lofty mountain, stood the towers, walls, and citadels of Jerusalem. Other Songs of Zion include Psalms 46, 48, 76, 84, 87, and 122.
[4] See the NIV, “Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.” Although it could also mean that the temple was built on Mount Moriah (2 Chr 3:1), just to the north of the citadel of Zion, the city of David (2 Sam 5:7).
[5] See David M. Howard, “Psalms Study Notes,” in NIV Zondervan Study Bible, edited by D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015), 1042.
[6] Mount Zaphon was in “the far north” (v. 2). “The ships of Tarshish” were shattered “by the east wind” (v. 7). The “right hand” (yamin, see Yemin) also indicated a southward direction when facing west (v. 10; see Ps 89:12). And the term, “after, following, next” (achor, achoron) was sometimes used for “west” (48:13; Isa 9:12). See Michael Wilcock, The Message of Psalms 1-72, The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2001), 173.
[7] The strong particle, “For behold” (ki-hinneh), draws attention to the startling picture.
[8] “To come on” (abar) can also mean, “to transgress, overstep” God’s law (e.g., Josh 7:11; Dan 9:11).
[9] The ships of Tarshish were the mightiest ships of their day (see 1 Kgs10:22).
[10] “The daughters of Judah” is an idiomatic reference to all her towns and villages (97:8).
[11] See the footnote in the ESV according to BHS.
