Psa 48 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 48:1-14: Ps 48 This song of Zion (see also Pss 46 , 76 , 87 , 122 ) explicitly views Jerusalem (Zion) as the city of the Great King where the godly find protection (48:1-3 ). God rules from Zion in faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, and he inspires his subjects with confidence and joy (48:9-11 ). They commit themselves to seeing the glory of Zion for themselves so that they can tell the next generation about it (48:8 , 12-14 ).

Summary for Ps 48:1-14: Ps 48 ^a This song of Zion (see also Pss 46 ^b, 76 ^c, 87 ^d, 122 ^e) explicitly views Jerusalem (Zion) as the city of the Great King where the godly find protection (48:1-3 ^f). God rules from Zion in faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, and he inspires his subjects with confidence and joy (48:9-11 ^g). They commit themselves to seeing the glory of Zion for themselves so that they can tell the next generation about it (48:8 ^h, 12-14 ⁱ).
48:3 ^j God dwells in Zion to protect it from all enemies (see 46:5 ^k).
48:7 ^l The ships of Tarshish, built for long voyages, represent human accomplishment (see also 2 Chr 9:21 ^m; Isa 2:16 ⁿ). Their destruction might be the event mentioned in 1 Kgs 22:48 ^o.
Summary for Ps 48:9-11: 48:9-11 ^p The psalmist joyfully celebrates the Lord’s presence in the midst of the community, reflecting on the faithfulness, righteousness, and justice of God’s rule.
Summary for Ps 48:12-13: 48:12-13 ^q towers ... fortified walls ... citadels: These structures provide a visual tour of Zion’s strength.
48:14 ^r No one is like God (35:10 ^s; 71:19 ^t; 86:8 ^u; 89:6 ^v, 8 ^w; 113:5 ^x; see Isa 40:18 ^y, 25 ^z). He is the shepherd King (Ps 95:7 ^aa) who will guide (see 5:8 ^ab; 23:2 ^ac) the sheep of his flock (77:20 ^ad).