TG
Everything TrueGospel offers, in one place.

Study

Bible Reader Scripture Search Word Study & Lexicon Bible Study Builder Reading Plans Verse Chains

Reference

The Reference Library Topical Index

Learn

True Gospel Institute

Grow & Share

Blog Q&A Sermon Notes Bible Studies Podcast

Community

Community Student Dashboard

About

About Us Support Us Contact Log In Create Free Account
BSB
← Prev Next →

Psalms 48

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Great isגָּ֘ד֤וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and greatlyמְאֹ֑דmə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → to be praisedוּמְהֻלָּ֣לū·mə·hul·lāl — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → in the cityבְּעִ֥ירbə·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of our Godאֱ֝לֹהֵ֗ינוּ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, His holyקָדְשֽׁוֹ׃qā·ḏə·šōw — Holiness, sacred, consecrated, set apartH6944 — Full Word Study → mountainהַר־har- — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study →. 2Beautifulיְפֵ֥הyə·p̄êh — Beautiful, fair, or lovely in appearanceH3303 — Full Word Study → in loftinessנוֹף֮nō·wp̄ — elevation, height, high placeH5131 — Full Word Study →, the joyמְשׂ֪וֹשׂmə·śō·wś — Joy, gladness, or rejoicingH4885 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the earthהָ֫אָ֥רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, like the peaksיַרְכְּתֵ֣יyar·kə·ṯê — Flank, side, border, or remote regionH3411 — Full Word Study → of Zaphonצָפ֑וֹןṣā·p̄ō·wn — North; northern direction or regionH6828 — Full Word Study → is Mount Zionצִ֭יּוֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →, the cityקִ֝רְיַ֗תqir·yaṯ — Town or city, especially fortified settlementH7151 — Full Word Study → of the greatרָֽב׃rāḇ — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → Kingמֶ֣לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →. 3Godאֱלֹהִ֥ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is in her citadelsבְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֗יהָbə·’ar·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā — Royal palace or fortified citadelH759 — Full Word Study →; He has shown Himself to beנוֹדַ֥עnō·w·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → a fortressלְמִשְׂגָּֽב׃lə·miś·gāḇ — Refuge, fortress, high place of safetyH4869 — Full Word Study →. 4Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → beholdהִנֵּ֣הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, the kingsהַ֭מְּלָכִיםham·mə·lā·ḵîm — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → assembledנֽוֹעֲד֑וּnō·w·‘ă·ḏū — to appoint, meet, or assemble togetherH3259 — Full Word Study →; they all advancedעָבְר֥וּ‘ā·ḇə·rū — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → togetherיַחְדָּֽו׃yaḥ·dāw — together, united, as oneH3162 — Full Word Study →. 5Theyהֵ֣מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → sawרָ֭אוּrā·’ū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → andכֵּ֣ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → were astoundedתָּמָ֑הוּtā·mā·hū — to be astonished; to marvel or wonderH8539 — Full Word Study →; they fledנֶחְפָּֽזוּ׃neḥ·pā·zū — to hurry, hasten, or move with urgencyH2648 — Full Word Study → in terrorנִבְהֲל֥וּniḇ·hă·lū — to alarm, hasten, or act in hasteH926 — Full Word Study →. 6Tremblingרְ֭עָדָהrə·‘ā·ḏāh — trembling, shuddering, quakingH7461 — Full Word Study → seized themאֲחָזָ֣תַם’ă·ḥā·zā·ṯam — to grasp, seize, or take hold ofH270 — Full Word Study → thereשָׁ֑םšām — There, in that placeH8033 — Full Word Study →, anguishחִ֝֗ילḥîl — Labor pain, travail, anguishH2427 — Full Word Study → like a woman in laborכַּיּוֹלֵֽדָה׃kay·yō·w·lê·ḏāh — to give birth, beget, or bear a childH3205 — Full Word Study →. 7With a windבְּר֥וּחַbə·rū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → from the eastקָדִ֑יםqā·ḏîm — east; eastward; east windH6921 — Full Word Study → You wreckedתְּ֝שַׁבֵּ֗רtə·šab·bêr — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study → the shipsאֳנִיּ֥וֹת’o·nî·yō·wṯ — Ship or vesselH591 — Full Word Study → of Tarshishתַּרְשִֽׁישׁ׃tar·šîš — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →. 8Asכַּאֲשֶׁ֤רka·’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → we have heardשָׁמַ֨עְנוּ׀šā·ma‘·nū — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, soכֵּ֤ןkên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → we have seenרָאִ֗ינוּrā·’î·nū — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → in the cityבְּעִיר־bə·‘îr- — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְ֭בָאוֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, in the cityבְּעִ֣ירbə·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of our Godאֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →: Godאֱלֹ֘הִ֤ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → will establish herיְכוֹנְנֶ֖הָyə·ḵō·wn·ne·hā — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → foreverעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 9Withinבְּ֝קֶ֗רֶבbə·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → Your templeהֵיכָלֶֽךָ׃hê·ḵā·le·ḵā — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, we contemplateדִּמִּ֣ינוּdim·mî·nū — To resemble, liken, or compareH1819 — Full Word Study → Your loving devotionחַסְדֶּ֑ךָḥas·de·ḵā — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →. 10Your nameכְּשִׁמְךָ֤kə·šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →, O Godאֱלֹהִ֗ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, like Your praiseתְּ֭הִלָּתְךָtə·hil·lā·ṯə·ḵā — Praise, song of praise, object of praiseH8416 — Full Word Study →, reaches toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the endsקַצְוֵי־qaṣ·wê- — boundary, edge, limit, extremityH7099 — Full Word Study → of the earthאֶ֑רֶץ’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →; Your right handיְמִינֶֽךָ׃yə·mî·ne·ḵā — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → is fullמָלְאָ֥הmā·lə·’āh — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → of righteousnessצֶ֝֗דֶקṣe·ḏeq — Righteousness, justice, right standingH6664 — Full Word Study →. 11Mountהַר־har- — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → Zionצִיּ֗וֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study → is gladיִשְׂמַ֤ח׀yiś·maḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study →, the daughtersבְּנ֣וֹתbə·nō·wṯ — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → rejoiceתָּ֭גֵלְנָהtā·ḡê·lə·nāh — to rejoice, be glad, exultH1523 — Full Word Study →, on account ofלְ֝מַ֗עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → Your judgmentsמִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃miš·pā·ṭe·ḵā — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 12March aroundסֹ֣בּוּsōb·bū — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → Zionצִ֭יּוֹןṣî·yō·wn — The Lord's MountainH6726 — Full Word Study →, encircle herוְהַקִּיפ֑וּהָwə·haq·qî·p̄ū·hā — to encircle, surround, or strike downH5362 — Full Word Study →, countסִ֝פְר֗וּsip̄·rū — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → her towersמִגְדָּלֶֽיהָ׃miḡ·dā·le·hā — Tower; fortified structure; strongholdH4026 — Full Word Study →, 13considerשִׁ֤יתוּšî·ṯū — to set, place, or appointH7896 — Full Word Study → her rampartsלְֽחֵילָ֗הlə·ḥê·lāh — Fortified wall or rampart; defensive bulwarkH2430 — Full Word Study →, tourפַּסְּג֥וּpas·sə·ḡū — to pass through, traverse, considerH6448 — Full Word Study → her citadelsאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֑יהָ’ar·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā — Royal palace or fortified citadelH759 — Full Word Study →, thatלְמַ֥עַןlə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → you may tellתְּ֝סַפְּר֗וּtə·sap·pə·rū — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → the nextאַחֲרֽוֹן׃’a·ḥă·rō·wn — Last, final, or later in time or orderH314 — Full Word Study → generationלְד֣וֹרlə·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → thisזֶ֨ה׀zeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → Godאֱלֹהִ֣ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → is our God foreverעוֹלָ֣ם‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → and everוָעֶ֑דwā·‘eḏ — perpetuity, eternity, foreverH5703 — Full Word Study →; Heה֖וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will be our guideיְנַהֲגֵ֣נוּyə·na·hă·ḡê·nū — to lead, drive, guideH5090 — Full Word Study → even tillעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → deathמֽוּת׃mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →.
Scripture Explorer
Original Language
Notes & Doctrine
Chapter Commentary
Cross-Refs
Highlight
My Note
Original Hebrew / Greek
Loading…
Translation Notes & Doctrine — This Verse
Loading…
Chapter Commentary — Psalms 48
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 48 is a song of praise celebrating God's protection of Jerusalem and His absolute sovereignty over the nations. The psalmist invites the people of God to meditate on how the Lord has miraculously defended His city, causing even mighty kings to tremble and flee in fear. This psalm combines historical reflection with present worship and future confidence, reminding believers that our God is not only great in power but also faithful to preserve His people and establish His kingdom forever.

Verses 1-3: The Greatness and Beauty of God's City

The psalm opens with an exuberant call to praise. God is great and greatly to be praised, and His worthiness is displayed in the city of Jerusalem, called "the mountain of his holiness" (verse 1). Verse 2 celebrates Mount Zion's beauty and strategic importance—it is "the joy of the whole earth" and the dwelling place of "the great King." In verse 3, we learn that God is known in her palaces for a refuge. This reminds us that God's greatness is not abstract theology but concrete reality: He is known by His actions, demonstrated in how He protects His people. The emphasis on Zion as a refuge shows that God's character is revealed through His faithfulness to shelter those who belong to Him.

Application: Do we recognize God's protection in our own lives? Like the psalmist celebrating Zion, we should take time to acknowledge specific ways the Lord has been our refuge and strength.

Verses 4-7: The Kings' Terror and God's Power

The scene shifts to a dramatic historical moment. Verse 4 tells us that enemy kings assembled and passed by together—likely referring to times when foreign powers gathered against Jerusalem. But when they saw the city (verse 5), they were amazed and troubled, and they hasted away. Verse 6 describes their panic: fear took hold upon them, and they experienced pain, as of a woman in travail—a vivid image of their anguish and desperation. Verse 7 poetically describes God's judgment: He breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. Tarshish represents distant, powerful maritime nations; God's power is so absolute that even the mightiest naval forces are destroyed as easily as a storm breaks merchant ships.

Application: This passage teaches that no earthly power—no matter how impressive or threatening—can stand against God's will. Believers facing opposition or fear can find courage in remembering that our God remains sovereign over all.

Verses 8-11: Celebration and Witness

Verse 8 marks a turning point: As we have heard, so have we seen. The promises of God that were heard through faith have now been confirmed through experience. God has established the city forever, and this reality is worth proclaiming to the ends of the earth (verses 9-10). Verse 11 calls Mount Zion and the daughters of Judah to rejoice and be glad, because of thy judgments—God's righteous acts of deliverance.

Application: Our personal testimony of God's faithfulness is powerful witness. When we share what we have "heard" in Scripture and what we have "seen" in our own experience, we strengthen others' faith.

Verses 12-14: A Call to Remember and Trust

The psalmist invites the people to walk about Zion, examine her walls and palaces, and tell it to the generation following (verses 12-13). This is a call to intentional remembrance and transmission of God's faithfulness to the next generation. Verse 14 concludes with a timeless declaration: This God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. This is not merely national confidence but a personal covenant promise—God belongs to us, and He will guide us throughout our entire lives.

Application: We have a responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation. Share your testimony. Point others to God's faithfulness. Trust that He will guide you until the end.

Application for Today

Psalm 48 calls us to celebrate God's sovereignty and faithfulness while strengthening our confidence in His future protection. Whether facing personal struggles or witnessing cultural upheaval, believers can rest in the knowledge that our God is infinitely greater than any threat. Let us, like the psalmist, intentionally remember His works, proclaim His greatness, and trust Him as our eternal guide.

Cross References
Loading…
Highlight This Verse
My Note