Psalm 48 Explained: The Beauty and Eternal Promise of Jerusalem

Psalm 48 is a song of praise for Jerusalem, celebrating its beauty, strength, and special status as the city of Hashem. Through descriptions of Mount Zion, Hashem’s protection, and the awe of the nations, the psalm looks toward a future in which Jerusalem’s greatness is recognized by all. Here is a closer look at the meaning, key phrases, and commentaries behind this powerful chapter of Tehillim.

Psalm at a Glance

Praise for the city where Hashem dwells: This psalm centers on Jerusalem, the city of Hashem. The city is honored because it is Hashem’s city, and praising its beauty and importance is itself a form of praise for Hashem: “Great is Hashem and greatly praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.”

The speakers describe the city: Jerusalem is described in all its beauty and majesty: “Beautiful in elevation, the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.” The greatness of Hashem is revealed within it: “God is known in her palaces as a stronghold.”

The psalm then describes the fear of the kings who approach the city: “For behold, the kings assembled; they passed by together. They saw it, and so they were astonished; they were terrified, they hurried away. Trembling seized them there, anguish like that of a woman in labor.” It is possible that they are approaching Jerusalem for war and are terrified because Hashem protects the city, or that they are simply passing by and are overwhelmed by its power.

Praise for Hashem, who dwells in His city: The poet turns to praise Hashem, who is described as a God of justice: “As is Your name, God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with righteousness.”

The inhabitants of Jerusalem therefore rejoice in Him: “Mount Zion will rejoice; the daughters of Judah will be glad because of Your judgments.” The poet then calls on his listeners to walk around Zion and observe its strength and beauty: “Walk around Zion and encircle her; count her towers. Set your hearts upon her rampart; examine her palaces, so that you may tell a later generation.”

The psalm concludes with a declaration of enduring faith: “For this is God, our God, forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”

The Full Psalm

(1) A song, a psalm for the sons of Korach.

(2) Great is Hashem and greatly praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.

(3) Beautiful in elevation, the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.

(4) God is known in her palaces as a stronghold.

(5) For behold, the kings assembled; they passed by together.

(6) They saw it, and so they were astonished; they were terrified, they hurried away.

(7) Trembling seized them there, anguish like that of a woman in labor.

(8) With an east wind, You shatter the ships of Tarshish.

(9) As we heard, so we have seen, in the city of Hashem of Hosts, in the city of our God; God will establish it forever. Selah.

(10) We have contemplated Your kindness, God, within Your Temple.

(11) As is Your name, God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

(12) Mount Zion will rejoice; the daughters of Judah will be glad because of Your judgments.

(13) Walk around Zion and encircle her; count her towers.

(14) Set your hearts upon her rampart; examine her palaces, so that you may tell a later generation.

(15) For this is God, our God, forever and ever; He will guide us until death.

Key Words and Phrases

“Beautiful in elevation” – Jerusalem is the most beautiful city.

“The city of the great King” – This will be the dwelling place of a great king, the Messiah.

“For behold, the kings assembled” – The kings joined together with a shared purpose: to fight in the war of Gog and Magog.

“Anguish like that of a woman in labor” – Their trembling was so intense that it is compared to the anguish of a woman giving birth.

“God will establish it forever. Selah.” – Just as Hashem saved the city in the war of Gog and Magog, He will strengthen and establish Jerusalem so that it will remain built forever.

“Count her towers” – Count the many towers along its walls. The poet calls on the nations of the world to recognize the future beauty and strength of Jerusalem.

“Set your hearts upon her rampart” – Take note of the smaller wall surrounding the larger wall.

“Examine her palaces” – Observe the height of the city’s lofty palaces, which appear like mountain peaks.

“He will guide us until death” – He will lead us throughout our lives; He will guide us forever.

Notable Commentaries

Radak: “A song, a psalm for the sons of Korach” – This psalm describes the days of the Messiah.

Sforno: “The daughters of Judah will be glad because of Your judgments” – This verse is expressed as a prayer, asking that the people of Israel not be destroyed in the future when Hashem carries out judgment.

Rashi: “Great is Hashem and greatly praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain” – Hashem will become great and praised throughout the world when the Holy Temple is built.

Ibn Ezra: “Great is Hashem and greatly praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain” – This psalm is great because it recounts the praise of Jerusalem.

Radak: “The city of the great King” – This will be the dwelling place of a great king, the Messiah.

3 Interesting Facts About Psalm 48

1. Psalm 48 is recited as the “Song of the Day” for Monday.

2. Verse 12 appears as part of the Selichot liturgical poem “The Tribe of Judah in Distress and Sorrow.”

3. Several of Jerusalem’s 70 names and descriptions appear in this psalm, including Beautiful in Elevation, the Far North, the City of the Great King, the City of Hashem, and the Joy of All the Earth.

Jerusalem: A City of Eternal Hope

Psalm 48 is not only a song about Jerusalem’s beauty and strength, but also about what the city represents. Jerusalem is the place where Hashem’s presence, protection, justice, and kindness are revealed, and its future restoration symbolizes hope for generations to come. The psalm reminds us to look toward Zion with faith and to pass that connection on to our children, knowing that “this is God, our God, forever and ever; He will guide us until death.”