2, 3. situation—literally, "elevation." joy of, &c.—source of joy. sides of the north—poetically for eminent, lofty, distinguished, as the ancients believed the north to be the highest part of the earth (compare :-). read more
3. palaces—literally, "citadels." refuge— (Psalms 9:10; Psalms 18:3). He was so known in them because they enjoyed His presence. read more
1. Zion’s privilege 48:1-3 read more
Psalms 48The psalmist praised God for delivering Zion from her enemies (cf. Psalms 46, 47). Jerusalem was secure and glorious because God had blessed it with His favor. read more
The lofty beauty of Jerusalem, situated on Mt. Zion, gave all people reason to rejoice. The writer compared its beauty to that of Mt. Zaphon far to the north of Jerusalem, specifically some 25 miles to the northeast of Ugarit. The NIV translation of Psalms 48:2 clarifies the reference to this second mountain. Yet what made Jerusalem truly great was the presence of the Lord in it."Zaphon, located north of Israel, was the sacred mountain of the Canaanites from which their high god El supposedly... read more
This Ps. celebrates the safety and glory of Jerusalem, and the praise of her divine King. The deliverance He has wrought is vividly portrayed, and we can hardly fail to recognise that the overthrow of Sennacherib is in view. The Ps. is used on Whitsunday.2. For situation] RV ’in elevation.’ On the sides of the north] An obscure clause. ’The sides of the north’ may mean the Temple hill, as distinguished from the rest of the city: or, as some think, there may be a comparison of Mt. Zion to the... read more
(2) Situation.—Heb., nôph. A word only found here, but explained from a cognate Arabic word to mean elevation. And this feature is quite distinctive enough of Jerusalem to lend confirmation to this explanation—“Its elevation is remarkable.” (See Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 170.)On the other hand, an adverbial use—highly beautiful or supremely beautiful (comp. Lamentations 2:15, “The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth”) may be all that the poet intends.Sides of the north.—A... read more
(3) Refuge.—See Note, Psalms 46:1. Prominence should be given to the idea of security from height. We might render, “God among her castles is known as a high and secure tower.” read more
The Subject of Meditation (A Communion Sermon) Psalms 48:9 This Psalm is a song of triumph, when Jerusalem was saved from some impending danger. The theme is that God is the safety of Zion, the impregnable city, made such by the loving care of God. I. Into the temple the joyful people surge to give vent to their feelings of gratitude and triumph. Where else can they go with such fitness but to the sanctuary which stands to them as the very heart of their religion? And what is more fitting than... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:2
Psalms 48:2. Beautiful for situation, &c.— The expression of mount Sion's being the joy of the whole earth, seems to allude to the promise made to the patriarch, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed. And the law, the Christian law, may be said literally to have gone out from mount Zion into all lands. On the sides of the north, or north side [lies] the city of the great king, means the city of Jerusalem. It may be asked, why this circumstance is mentioned as an... read more