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Psalms 48
Psalms 48:1
General Information:
This psalm is a song about Jerusalem being God's dwelling place. Parallelism is common in Hebrew poetry. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-poetry and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
greatly to be praised
This can be stated in active from. Alternate translation: "people are to praise him greatly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)
the city of our God on his holy mountain
This is a reference to Jerusalem, which was built on Mount Zion.
the city of our God
Possible meanings are 1) "the city where our God lives" or 2) "the city that belongs to our God"
Psalms 48:2
Beautiful in elevation
"Beautiful and high." The word "elevation" refers to how high mount Zion is.
the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion
Here the word "earth" refers to everyone living on the earth. The word "joy" may be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "Mount Zion gives joy to everyone on earth" or "everyone on earth rejoices because of Mount Zion" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
on the sides of the north
Possible meanings are that this phrase 1) refers to the direction of the north or 2) is another name for Mount Zion meaning "the mountain of God."
Psalms 48:3
God has made himself known in her palaces as a refuge
The writer speaks of God as if he were a place where people can go for safety. Alternate translation: "God has made himself known as one who gives safety to the people in Mount Zion's palaces" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor)
Psalms 48:4
see
The word "see" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
assembled themselves
Here the kings represent their armies. Alternate translation: "assembled their armies" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
they passed by together
"together they passed by Jerusalem"
Psalms 48:5
They saw it
"They saw Jerusalem"
dismayed
greatly troubled
Psalms 48:6
Trembling took hold of them there
The writer speaks of the kings' fear as if it were a person who caused the kings and their armies to tremble. Alternate translation: "There they trembled with fear" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification)
pain as when a woman is in labor
The writer speaks of the kings' fear as if it were the pain that a woman experiences in childbirth and speaks of that pain as if it were a person. The verb may be supplied from the previous clause. Alternate translation: "pain took hold of them, as when a woman is in labor" or "they became afraid, like a woman is afraid of experiencing labor pains" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-ellipsis)
Psalms 48:7
With the east wind you break the ships of Tarshish
Possible meanings are 1) this is a metaphor in which the author describes the kings being afraid as if they were ships that shake because God destroys them with a strong wind. Alternate translation: "They shook with fear, as the ships of Tarshish shake when you break them with the east wind" or 2) this is an apostrophe in which the author describes God's great power. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-apostrophe)
the east wind
Possible meanings are 1) "a wind blowing from the east" or 2) "a strong wind."
the ships of Tarshish
Possible meanings are that this refers to 1) ships that sail to or are built in the city of Tarshish or 2) any large ocean-going ship.
Psalms 48:8
As we have heard
It is implied that what they have heard is the great things that God has done in the past. Alternate translation: "As we have heard about the great things that God has done" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
so have we seen
This means that they have seen the proof that the things that they have heard are true. Alternate translation: "so we have seen God do great things now" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-explicit)
in the city of Yahweh of hosts, in the city of our God
Both of these phrases refer to Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "in the city of our God, Yahweh of hosts" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
establish it
"make it secure." Here the word "establish means to preserve and make something secure.
Psalms 48:9
your covenant faithfulness
The abstract noun "faithfulness" can be translated as an adjective. Alternate translation: "how faithful you are to your covenant" or "how faithful you are to us because of your covenant" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
in the middle of your temple
"as we are in your temple"
Psalms 48:10
As your name is ... so is your praise to the ends of the earth
Here the word "name" represents God's character and reputation. The two phrases compare the greatness of God's reputation with how greatly people praise him. Alternate translation: "Your name is very great ... and so people throughout the world praise you greatly" or "People all throughout the world have heard of you ... so people throughout the world praise you" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
to the ends of the earth
This is an idiomatic expression that means everywhere in the word. See how you translated this in Psalms 46:9. (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-idiom)
your right hand is full of righteousness
The writer speaks of righteousness as if it were an object that God could hold in his hand. Here the word "hand" refers to God's power and authority to rule. Alternate translation: "you rule with righteousness" or "you are righteous as you rule" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Psalms 48:11
Let Mount Zion be glad
The writer speaks of Mount Zion as if it were a person who could be glad. The phrase refers to the people who live in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: "Let those who live on Mount Zion be glad" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-personification and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
let the daughters of Judah rejoice
The writer speaks of the towns in Judah as if they were Judah's children. The phrase refers to the people who live in those towns. Alternate translation: "let the people who live in the cities of Judah rejoice" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy)
Psalms 48:12
Walk around Mount Zion, go round about her
These two phrases are parallel. Alternate translation: "Walk all the way around Mount Zion" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism)
Psalms 48:13
notice well
"notice in detail"
Psalms 48:14
he will be our guide
The word "guide" can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: "he will guide us" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-abstractnouns)
to death
Possible meanings are 1) "until we die" or 2) "forever."