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Psalms Chapter 48 (JPS)

minutes - words.
Psalm 48: Great Is the Lord in Zion
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1 A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

2 Great is HaShem, and highly to be praised, in the city of our G-d, His holy mountain,

3 Fair in situation, the joy of the whole earth; even mount Zion, the uttermost parts of the north, the city of the great King.

4 G-d in her palaces hath made Himself known for a stronghold.

5 For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they came onward together.

6 They saw, straightway they were amazed; they were affrighted, they hasted away.

7 Trembling took hold of them there, pangs, as of a woman in travail.

8 With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.

9 As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of HaShem of hosts, in the city of our G-d--G-d establish it for ever. Selah

10 We have thought on Thy lovingkindness, O G-d, in the midst of Thy temple.

11 As is Thy name, O G-d, so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth; Thy right hand is full of righteousness.

12 Let mount Zion be glad, let the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of Thy judgments.

13 Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count the towers thereof.

14 Mark ye well her ramparts, traverse her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

15 For such is G-d, our G-d, for ever and ever; He will guide us eternally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Psalm 48 praise?
Psalm 48 praises God's greatness as displayed through Zion, 'the joy of the whole earth' (v.2), describing kings who saw it and fled in fear (vv.4-6), and calling worshippers to walk about the city and count its towers as a testimony for future generations (vv.12-13).
What happened when the kings assembled against the city?
Verses 4-6 say the kings 'saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away,' seized with fear 'as of a woman in travail.'
What does the psalm ask people to do with the city's walls and towers?
Verses 12-13 say to 'Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof... that ye may tell it to the generation following.'

Today's Verse

The proud have forged a lie against me: With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.

Psalms 119:69 | ASV

Verse Of The Day

Worshippers are told to walk about Zion, count her towers, and mark her bulwarks so they can report it to the next generation. The chapter closes on the trust that 'this God is our God for ever and ever,' a guide echoed at Isaiah 58:11, before the wisdom psalm of Psalms 49.