Psalm 48 Meaning Explained

A Zion song, a love poem to the city of God. Mount Zion is 'the joy of all the earth,' beautiful in elevation, unshakable because God is in her citadels. Kings flee not from armies but from the sheer terror of God's presence. The psalmist invites a walking tour of her ramparts, to see a city that will be established 'forever and ever.'

A clear explanation of Psalm 48, its meaning, context, and message for believers today

Psalms Chapter 48 | KJV

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.
2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
4. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
7. Thou 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.
9. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
10. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
13. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.
14. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Historical Context

Psalm 48, attributed to the sons of Korah, celebrates Jerusalem as God’s holy city and symbol of His protection and eternal reign.