Psalms 48

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 48

1¶ A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.

2Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

3God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

4For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

5They saw [it, and] so they marvelled; they were troubled, [and] hasted away.

6Fear took hold upon them there, [and] pain, as of a woman in travail.

7Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

8¶ 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.

9We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

10According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

11Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

12Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

13Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell [it] to the generation following.

14For this God [is] our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide [even] unto death.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 48 extols the greatness of the LORD, who is greatly to be praised in Mount Zion, His holy city. This beautiful city is a refuge where God's presence caused kings to marvel, be troubled, and flee in fear. The psalm affirms that God will establish Zion forever and will be His people's guide unto death.

Medium Summary

The psalm begins by declaring the LORD's immense greatness and His worthiness of praise in Mount Zion, the beautiful city of the great King. God is known as a refuge within its palaces, a truth powerfully demonstrated when kings assembled against it. Upon seeing Zion, they were struck with fear and pain, hastening away in disarray, a testament to God's protective power. The psalmist reflects on God's lovingkindness experienced in the temple and proclaims His praise and righteousness extend to the ends of the earth. The people are called to rejoice in God's judgments and to meticulously observe Zion's fortifications. This observation is intended to ensure that the testimony of God's eternal presence and guidance is passed down to future generations.

Long Summary

Psalm 48 is a song of praise celebrating the LORD's majesty and His dwelling in Mount Zion, the city of our God and the mountain of His holiness. Described as beautiful in its situation and the joy of the whole earth, Zion is recognized as the city of the great King where God is known as an unfailing refuge in its palaces. This divine protection was vividly displayed when kings assembled against the city; upon beholding it, they were filled with such marvel, trouble, and fear that they swiftly departed, experiencing pain likened to that of a woman in travail. The psalm further illustrates God's power by mentioning His ability to break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind, symbolizing His dominion over all forces. The psalmist affirms that what they had heard of God's power, they have now seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, which God will establish forever. Within the temple, the people meditate on God's lovingkindness, acknowledging that His praise, like His name, extends to the ends of the earth, for His right hand is full of righteousness. The psalm concludes with an exhortation for Mount Zion and the daughters of Judah to rejoice in God's judgments. The people are encouraged to walk about Zion, count its towers, mark its bulwarks, and consider its palaces, so that they may faithfully recount God's enduring presence and guidance to the generation following, affirming that this God is their God forever and ever, their guide even unto death.

Core Concepts

  • Greatness of God in ZionThe LORD is declared great and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, Mount Zion, which is His holy mountain. This emphasizes God's supreme majesty and His chosen dwelling place.
  • Zion's Beauty and SignificanceMount Zion is depicted as beautiful for its situation, the joy of the whole earth, and the city of the great King. It holds both aesthetic and theological importance as God's royal city.
  • Divine Protection and RefugeGod is known in Zion's palaces as a refuge, providing security and safety to His people. This protection is demonstrated through the miraculous deterrence of invading kings.
  • God's Power Over EnemiesKings who assembled against Zion were struck with fear, marvel, and pain, causing them to flee in haste. This illustrates God's overwhelming power to defend His city and His people against all adversaries.
  • Eternal Establishment of God's CityThe psalmist confidently declares that God will establish the city of the LORD of hosts forever. This signifies the enduring nature of God's presence and His covenant with His chosen place.
  • God's Lovingkindness and RighteousnessThe people reflect on God's lovingkindness in the midst of His temple and acknowledge that His praise extends globally due to His right hand being full of righteousness. This highlights God's benevolent character and just governance.
  • Testimony for Future GenerationsThe psalm instructs the people to observe Zion's towers, bulwarks, and palaces to tell of God's enduring guidance to the generation following. This emphasizes the importance of preserving and transmitting faith and historical truth.