Psalm Chapter 48 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 48:1
Verse: גָּדוֹל יְהוָה וְנֶאְדָּר מְאֹד בְּעִיר אֱלֹהֵינוּ
Transliteration: Gadol Adonai v’ne’edar me’od b’ir Eloheinu
English: “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise in the city of our God.”
Focus Word: נֶאְדָּר (Ne’edar)
- Root: נ-א-ד (Nun-Aleph-Dalet)
- Meaning: “Majestic,” “splendid,” “adorned.”
- Deeper Insight: Ne’edar conveys dignity and glory, describing God’s magnificent presence, especially in His sanctuary.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 48 |
|---|---|---|
| John Calvin (University of Paris / Orléans, 1509–1564) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Calvin sees the Psalm as honoring Jerusalem as a symbol of God’s presence and eternal protection. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Henry notes the Psalm emphasizes God’s majesty and the security He provides to His people. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Sibbes highlights the comfort believers gain from God dwelling among His people. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen interprets the Psalm as teaching that God’s protection assures His faithful that no enemy can prevail. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Observes that the Psalm encourages trust in God’s enduring presence in times of trial. |
Prayer: Thank you Father God that you are awesome and that your greatness is known and recognized throughout the earth. Thank you for your holy mountain, mount Zion, that we can ascend as we put our trust in you, having clean hands, pure hearts, not lifting up our souls unto vanity or swearing deceitfully. Thank you that the blessing of the Lord is ours and we shall receive righteousness from the God of our salvation. Thank you Father, in Jesus' Name. Amen!
