Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 48:2
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
2. Beautiful for situation ] Rather, as R.V., beautiful in elevation. Cp. Psa 50:2. “Its elevation,” writes Dean Stanley, “is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judaea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of the highest tablelands of the country. To the traveller approaching Jerusalem from the west or east, it must always have presented the appearance of a mountain city; breathing, as compared with the plains of Jordan, a mountain air; enthroned, as compared with Jericho and Damascus, Gaza or Tyre, on a mountain fastness” ( Sinai and Palestine: pp. 170, 171). May not the poet also have in mind that ‘ideal’ elevation of which the prophets speak? e.g. Isa 2:2; Mic 4:1.
the joy of the whole earth ] Lam 2:15 combines this phrase with that of Psa 50:2. “Is this the city that men called, The perfection of beauty, The joy of the whole earth?” Cp. Isa 60:15.
on the sides of the north ] Thus rendered, the words appear to be a topographical description of the situation of Mount Zion to the north of the city; or, if we render, on the sides of the north is the citadel of the great King, a description of the position of the Temple. But ‘Mount Zion’ in this Psalm is not a part of the city but the whole city ( Psa 48:11-12); a merely topographical description would be frigid in the extreme; the rendering involves a doubtful construction; and it gives a very inadequate meaning to the phrase the sides of the north. This phrase occurs elsewhere in Isa 14:13; Eze 38:6; Eze 38:15; Eze 39:2; and in all these passages it means the recesses or remotest quarters of the north. In Isa 14:13 “the uttermost parts of the north” (R.V.) are mentioned as the locality of the sacred mountain, which according to Asiatic mythology was the abode of the gods. This mountain, corresponding to the Olympus of the Greeks, was the Meru of the Indians, the Alborg of the Persians, the Arlu of the Assyrians and Babylonians. It would seem that the Psalmist boldly calls Mount Zion the uttermost parts of the north with reference to this mythological idea. According to this interpretation Psa 48:1-2 may be rendered as follows:
Great Is Jehovah, and exceeding worthy to be praised,
In the city of our God is his holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation, a Joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion,
The uttermost parts of the north, the citadel of the great King.
The sacred mountain of our God is not in the remote recesses of the north, but in the very midst of the city of His choice. Zion is in reality all that the Assyrians claim for their fabled mount of the gods. Their king too may style himself ‘great,’ but Zion is the citadel of One Who is in truth the great King, for He is the King of all the earth (Psa 47:2; Psa 47:7). “The great king” was a title claimed by the king of Assyria (Isa 36:4); and the word for ‘great’ is not that used in Psa 48:1 ( gdl) but rab, which corresponds to the Assyrian title sarru rabbu (Schrader, Cuneif. Inser. p. 320). ‘City’ ( citadel) is not the same word as in Psa 48:1 (‘ r), but iryh, a word which does not occur again in the Psalter, but is found several times in Isaiah (Isa 22:2; Isa 29:1; Isa 33:20). To many commentators it seems inconceivable that the Psalmist should allude to Assyrian mythology. But a writer of Isaiah’s time might easily have become acquainted with the religious ideas of the Assyrians, and the author of the Book of Job does not hesitate to introduce popular mythological ideas. See Prof. Davidson’s note on Job 26:12: and cp. Isa 27:1.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Beautiful for situation – The word rendered situation – noph – means properly elevation, height, (Ges. Lexicon); and the idea here is, that the mountain referred to is beautiful for elevation; that is, it rises gracefully. The allusion here is to Jerusalem as it would appear to one approaching it, and especially as it appeared to the kings Psa 48:4 who came to invest it, and who were so impressed with its marvelous beauty and strength, that they were afraid to attack it, and turned away Psa 48:5.
The joy of the whole earth – Either the whole land of Palestine, or the whole world. Most probably the former is the meaning; and the idea is that, as a place of beauty and strength, and as a place where the worship of God was celebrated, and where the people of the land were accustomed to assemble, it was a source of national joy.
Is Mount Zion – The term used here would seem to denote the whole city, Jerusalem, as it often does. Mount Zion was the most conspicuous object in the city, the residence of the king, and for a long time, until the temple was built, the place where the ark reposed, and where the worship of God was celebrated, and hence, the term came to be used to denote the whole city.
On the sides of the north – That is, probably, the houses, the palaces, on the north sides of the Mount Zion. These were eminently beautiful; they struck one in approaching the city from that quarter, as impressive and grand. The natural and usual approach to the city was from the north, or the northwest. On the west was the valley of Gihon, on the south the valley of Hinnom; and on the east the valley of Jehoshaphat and of the brook Kidron; and it was only as the city was approached from the north that there would be a complete view of it; or, that was the only quarter from which it could be assailed. The kings, therefore Psa 48:8, may be supposed to have approached it from that quarter; and thus approaching it, they would have a clear and impressive view of its beauty, and of the sources of its strength – of the walls, towers, and bulwarks which defended it, and of the magnificence of the buildings on Mount Zion. Dr. Thomson (Land and the Book, vol. ii., p. 476), says of the situation of Mount Zion, What is there or was there about Zion to justify the high eulogium of David: Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King? The situation is indeed eminently adapted to be the platform of a magnificent citadel.
Rising high above the deep valley of Gihon and Hinnom on the west and south, and the scarcely less deep one of the Cheesemongers on the east, it could only be assailed from the northwest; and then on the sides of the north it was magnificently beautiful, and fortified by walls, towers, and bulwarks, the wonder and terror of the nations: For the kings were assembled; they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. At the thought of it the royal psalmist again bursts forth in triumph: Walk about Zion, and go round about her; tell the towers thereof; mark ye well her bulwarks; consider her palaces, that ye may tell it to the generation following. Alas! her towers have long since fallen to the ground, her bulwarks have been overthrown, her palaces have crumbled to dust, and we who now walk about Zion can tell no other story than this to the generation following. It was actually on the northern side of Mount Zion that most of the edifices of the city were erected. (Reland, Pales., p. 847.)
The city of the great King – That is, of God; the place where he has taken up his abode. Compare the notes at Psa 46:4.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 48:2-3
Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion.
Spiritual nationality
I. A rehearsal of Jewish history. This is necessary in order to understand the inner meaning of this psalm. Israels history begins with Abraham. His life nomadic, wandering, a wilderness life. And so with Israel for centuries it was a forced desert experience.
II. The divine philosophy of it. It was to make up the longing for rest, for a settled habitation and a national life. They had learned enough to know that cities enable men to unite, to concentrate for great material purposes. Cities not only symbolized but secured possession, fixity, safety, growth, nationality. Hence their joy in Jerusalem of which this psalm is an utterance.
III. And to all this the christian life correspends. Gods call separates, but ultimately unites. Let us anticipate our future in the city of habitation. (J. McDougall.)
The charm of Zion
(with Psa 12:1-8):–There is comfort for us in the thought that Zions beauty was spiritual; there is also warning. Wanting spiritual power, certain churches would have something left, a remaining charm. Their architectural monuments, their imposing ceremonies would still command a measure of deference and support, But wanting spiritual power, we are destitute indeed. Our Churches consist of persons who have made deliberate profession of faith in Christ; faith whereby they enter into spiritual union with Him. He is their Head, they are His members.
I. Charm in our church life must therefore ever be dependent, first, upon the actualizing of this relation, by real communion with Christ. The unreal has no charm for God, and He purposes that it should have none for man. The Bible makes this clear, and experience echoes Bible teaching. Real communion with Christ is not sentiment. It is the surrender and reinforcement of the will. It is obedience, love, self-sacrifice supernaturally sustained. It is sharing the spirit and life of Jesus.
II. Another essential to charm in the Church is sympathy. The New Testament incites to brotherly love, bearing one anothers burdens, looking on the things of others, and such like. In the first age, before the art of sublimating precepts into metaphors was discovered, these incitements found response; love was patent, sympathy flowed freely. The stream of sympathy flows still, but its course is often blocked by boulder-like conventionalities; and, where communion with Christ is defective, it fails at the spring. The social meeting, not unknown among us, merits study and development: the meeting in which our members get to know one another, discover that Christian fellowship is compatible with social friendship, and find opportunity for quiet natural speech upon the things of God.
III. This brings me to another matter which must contribute charm to our Church life, namely, the disclosure of joy in God. Our recoil from cant has silenced the sincere. Yet, doubtless, every Christian should reveal, in look and word, the wealth of joy he has discovered in the Gospel. Of course, it is bad form to be demonstrative; to advertise ones emotions. It may be. But the stony immobility that never calls attention with enthusiasm to marvels of nature or miracles of grace is insulting to God; a fraudulent witholding of His due praise.
IV. Something should be added about aggressive activity. If the Church is to maintain and increase her charm she must make it clear that she holds no truce with the giant wrongs under which men suffer. In warring against these the Church has done, and is doing, nobly. We claim, too, that she has supplied inspiration for humanitarian enterprise effected under other auspices. When our best men take their seats in Town Council, the Church is present in their persons, and is a good councillor. Yet her watchword must be Forward. The dullest scorner must be left without excuse for echoing the stupid libel that our churches are Pullman cars for heaven, the passengers caring only for their travelling comforts and safe arrival. (G. Hawker.)
The beauty of Christs Church
The situation (of Mount Zion) is, indeed, eminently adapted to be the platform of a magnificent citadel. Rising high above the deep Valley of Gihon and Hinnom on the West and South, and the scarcely less deep one of the Cheesemongers on the East, it could only be assailed from the Northwest; and then on the side of the North it was magnificently beautiful, and fortified by walls, towers and bulwarks, the wonder and terror of the nations. Alas her towers have long since fallen to the ground, her bulwarks have been overthrown, her palaces have crumbled to the dust, and we who now walk about Zion can tell no other story than this to the generation following. There is another Zion, however, whose towers are still more glorious and shall never be overthrown. (W. M. Thomson, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 2. The joy of the whole earth] Commentators have been greatly puzzled to show in what sense Zion, or the temple, could be said to be the joy of the whole earth. If we take the earth here for the habitable globe, there is no sense in which it ever was the joy of the whole earth; but If we take col haarets, as signifying the whole of this land, (and it has no other meaning,) the assertion is plain and easy to be understood, for the temple was considered the ornament and glory of the whole land of Judea.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The joy of the whole earth: Jerusalem may be so called here, as it is also Lam 2:15, not actually, as if all people did rejoice in it, or for it; but,
1. Fundamentally or causally, because here was very great cause or ground or rejoicing for the Gentile world, if they had understood themselves, or their true interest; because here God was graciously present and ready to hear and answer the just desires and prayers, not only of the Israelites, but of any stranger, of what nation soever, according to Solomons prayer, 1Ki 8:41, &c.; and here the Gentiles might find that God, whom like blind men they groped for, as the Greek phrase implies, Act 17:27; and here they might be informed of the nature and properties, as also of the mind and will, of the almighty and everlasting God, of which they were so grossly ignorant, and of that Messias who was the desire of (and consequently matter of great joy unto) all nations, Hag 2:7. And,
2. Prophetically, because the joyful doctrine of the gospel was to go from thence unto all nations; of which see Isa 2:2,3; Mic 4:1,2. Yet these words may be and are by others rendered and understood thus, the joy of the, or this, (for here is an emphatical article,) whole land.
On the sides of the north, i.e. which is on the northern part of Jerusalem. But because Josephus and some others affirm that Mount Zion stood southward from Jerusalem, this clause possibly may be added to signify that Zion is not here to be understood strictly and properly for that mountain, or part of the mountain so called, but for that other mountain, or part of the same mountain upon which the temple was built, which was strictly called Moriah, but is here called Zion, because that name was far better known in Scripture, as being oft put for the temple, as Psa 137:3; Isa 18:7; Jer 51:10; Lam 5:18, and for the whole city, and for the church of God, in a multitude of places of Scripture.
The city of the great King, i.e. the city of God, as it was now called, Psa 48:1, who justly calls himself a great King, Mal 1:14, as being King of kings, and Lord of lords, Rev 19:16.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2, 3. situationliterally,”elevation.”
joy of, &c.sourceof joy.
sides of the northpoeticallyfor eminent, lofty, distinguished, as the ancients believed the northto be the highest part of the earth (compare Isa14:13).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Beautiful for situation,…. This, and what follows, are said of the city of God, the city of Jerusalem, which was delightfully situated on an eminence, in a wholesome air; the brook Kidron gliding by it, the water of Siloah running through it or at least through some parts of it; fields and gardens adjoining to it, and mountains all around it: and so the church of Christ is built upon him, the Rock; the river of divine love runs by it, the streams whereof make it glad; the green pastures of the word and ordinances are in it; and salvation is as walls and bulwarks about it; and so healthful is it, that the inhabitants have no reason to say they are sick, since the people that dwell therein have their iniquities forgiven, Isa 33:24;
the joy of the whole earth: that is, the city of Jerusalem, La 2:15; especially it was so when Christ, whose birth near it was matter of great joy to all people; when he who is the desire of all nations was in it; and when the Gospel went out from it unto the whole earth, and caused joy wherever it came in power, and with the Holy Ghost: and the church of Christ, particularly in the latter day, will be an eternal excellency, and a joy of many generations, Isa 60:15; and even now the whole world has reason to rejoice and be glad, because of the church of Christ in it, who are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and on whose account the world continues, and the men of it enjoy the blessings they do;
[is] Mount Zion; or “by Mount Zion”: Jerusalem was near it, and beautifully situated by it;
[on] the sides of the north; Jerusalem was north of Zion, as Zion was south of Jerusalem; likewise the temple was on the north part of Mount Zion, Isa 14:13; the altar and altar gate were on the north side at the temple, and there were the tables on which the sacrifices were slain, Eze 8:5; and on the north side of the altar was the creature to be offered killed, Le 1:11; and perhaps some reference is here had to the church of Christ in the latter day, which for many years past has been chiefly in our northern part of the world: hence the Protestant doctrine is by the Papists called the Northern Heresy; and it will be “tidings out of the north” that shall trouble the man of sin, or some agent of his, to come forth with fury, and plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas, in the glorious holy mountain, Da 11:44;
the city of the great King; of Christ the King of kings;
[See comments on Ps 47:2]; and
[See comments on Ps 48:1].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion For the confirmation of the statement made in the preceding sentence, the prophet celebrates the excellencies for which mount Zion was at that time renowned; and in them was to be seen the glory of God, of which I have just now spoken. The beauty of its situation, which he mentions in the first place, was indeed natural; but by it he gives us to understand, that from the very commencement the agreeable appearance of the city had engraven upon it marks of the favor of God, so that the sight of it alone showed that God had in a special manner adorned and enriched that place, with the view of its being, at some future period, consecrated to sacred purposes. I do not, however, think that the situation is called beautiful and pleasant, merely because it was unequalled in the country of Judea; for there were other cities, as is well known, which were in no respect inferior to Jerusalem, either as to fertility or pleasantness of situation, and other advantages. In my opinion, along with the situation of the city, the Psalmist comprehends the glory which it derived from another source — from the circumstance that the temple of God was built there. When, therefore, we hear the beauty of the city here celebrated, let us call to our remembrance that spiritual beauty which was added to the natural beauty of the place, after the prophecy was given forth that the ark would there abide for ever. With respect to the word נופ, noph, which I have translated situation, commentators are not agreed. Some understand it as meaning height or elevation, as if it had been said that Jerusalem was situated on high and elevated ground. Others render it climate (190) because the Jews metaphorically call climates branches, (191) on account of the extent to which they are spread out. In a matter like this, which is of no great consequence, I am not disposed to be so very critical. Only I have selected that translation which seemed to me the most probable, namely, that the country in its appearance was pre-eminently pleasant and delightful. When the Psalmist speaks of mount Zion being on the sides of the north, it is doubtful whether he lays it down as a commendation of mount Zion, that it lay or looked towards the north; or whether we should explain the sentence thus: Although mount Zion looks towards the north, that does not in any degree diminish its beauty. The former interpretation, however, seems to me to give the more natural meaning. We find the prophet Isaiah, with the view also of touching upon the excellence of this mountain, applying to it the very expression which is here employed. In the 14 chapter of his Prophecies, at the 13th verse, he represents Sennacherib as speaking thus: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.”
The Psalmist, in the next place, calls mount Zion the joy of the whole earth And he thus describes it, not only because, as the Jews foolishly talk, that country was healthy on account of the mildness of the climate; or because it produced sweet and excellent fruits, which might gratify ard yield delight to foreign nations — for this also is a cold and unsatisfactory speculation; — but because from thence salvation was to issue forth to the whole world, even as all nations have borrowed from thence the light of life, and the testimony of heavenly grace. If the joy which men experience and cherish is without God, the issue of their joy at length will be destruction, and their laughter will be turned into gnashing of teeth. But Christ appeared with his Gospel out of Zion, to fill the world with true joy and everlasting felicity. In the time of the prophet, the knowledge of the Gospel, it is true, had not yet reached foreign nations; but he makes use of this manner of expression with the highest propriety, to teach the Jews that true blessedness was to be sought for only from the gracious covenant of God, which was deposited in that holy place. At the same time also, he has foretold that which was at length fulfilled in the last time by the coming of Christ. From this we may learn, that to cause the hearts of the godly to rejoice, the favor of God alone abundantly suffices; as, on the contrary, when it is withdrawn, all men must inevitably be thrown into a state of wretchedness and sorrow. What is added immediately after, concerning the city of the great King, is intended to show, that mount Zion was not only holy itself, but that this high prerogative had been conferred upon it to render sacred the whole city, where God had chosen his seat, that he might rule over all people.
(190) Beautiful in climate, that is, mount Zion is situated in a fair and lovely climate. This is the view taken by Montanus and Ainsworth. Bate and Parkhurst read, “ Beautiful in extension, i. e. , in the prospect which it extends to the eye.”
(191) Some ancient copies of the Septuagint have for the original words, יפה ניף, yepheh noph, which Calvin renders beautiful for situation, εὐρύνων, which Augustine and Ambrose translate by dilatans , spreading “This,” says Hammond, “may not improbably have respect to a notion of נוף, usual in the Misneh for the boughs or top branches of a tree; which some of the Jews also would have take place here, as comparing Zion to a beautiful well-spreading tree.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(2) Situation.Heb., nph. 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 explanationIts elevation is remarkable. (See Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 170.)
On the other hand, an adverbial usehighly beautiful or supremely beautiful (comp. Lam. 2:15, The perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth) may be all that the poet intends.
Sides of the north.A common phrase, generally taken to mean the quarter or region of the north (see Eze. 38:6; Eze. 38:15; Eze. 39:2; Isa. 14:13), but which, from the various uses of two words making it up, might mean northern recesses or secret recesses, according as we adopt the derived or the original meaning of tsphn.
With the former of the two meanings we should see a reference to the relative position of the Temple and its precincts to the rest of the city. For the identification of the ancient Zion (not to be confounded with the modern Zion) with the hill on which the Temple stood, see Smiths Bib. Dict., art. Jerusalem.(Comp. Stanley, Sinai and Palestine, p. 171.)
If, on the other hand, we elect to render secret, or hidden, or secure recesses, we have a figure quite intelligible of the security and peace to be found in Gods holy city:
Beautiful for elevation,
The whole earths joy;
Mount Zion, a secure recess,
City of the great King.
And the thought is taken up in the word refuge in the next verse. (Comp. Eze. 7:22, where the Temple is actually called Jehovahs secret place.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 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 encomium upon the hill of Sion, that Jerusalem lay on the north of it: The answer is, that it is mentioned as a proof of its greater security; for the hill of Sion was almost inaccessible on any other side, than towards the north; and here it was defended by Jerusalem, which was exceedingly strong: But though the psalmist mentions this as a material circumstance, he shews that it was not in the strength of it that he confided, but in the presence and protection of God; God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Beautiful and distinguished indeed is the church, the gospel church of Jesus. Is this Zion, said some of old, whom no man looketh after? Yes! But where are those cities the world hath been running after? Where is Babylon? Where is Nineveh? Where is Tyre? What is become of all the great monarchies of the earth: the Egyptian, the Assyrian, the Grecian, Persian, Roman? Alas! not a vestige remains. But glorious things are spoken of thee, thou city of God. Psa 87:3 . Reader! do not, I pray you, overlook the cause. Was Zion lovely in herself! Was Zion great? Was Zion deserving? No! What was it made her glorious? Jesus had fixed his love upon her. And Jesus tabernacled there. Salvation did God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Isa 26:1 . Reader, have you so considered Zion! He that founded Zion is Zion’s protector; Isa 14:32 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
Ver. 2. Beautiful for situation ] A beautiful nymph, so R. Solomon. Or, beautiful for the branch that droppeth balsam, saith Moller; Pulcher surculo, beautiful branch, that is, for the ark there seated. Or, for the tract and climate, as Jos 12:23 , situated on the north side of Jerusalem, as Isa 14:13 , in a cold, dry, and clear air, as Job 37:22 . Sanantur illi, qui illic infirmi conveniunt, saith Kimchi, they which come thither weak are made well.
The joy of the whole earth
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
situation = elevation.
earth: or land.
mount Zion. Immediately south of Moriah. See App-68.
the sides of the north: i.e. with Moriah and the Temple immediately on the north side.
The city of the great King = [is] Jerusalem as a whole. Note the three points of view: (1) the elevated mount; (2) the south side of Moriah; (3) Jerusalem proper. Compare Mat 5:35.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Beautiful: Psa 50:2, Jer 3:19, Lam 2:15, Dan 8:9, Dan 11:16
joy: Isa 60:15-20, Isa 66:10, Eze 20:6, Mal 3:12, Heb 12:22
on the sides: Isa 14:13
the city: Psa 47:7, Psa 47:8, Mal 1:14, Mat 5:35
Reciprocal: 2Ki 19:34 – I will defend 1Ch 11:5 – the castle Ezr 4:12 – bad city Psa 2:6 – my Psa 48:8 – city of the Lord Psa 74:2 – this mount Psa 84:1 – How Psa 87:1 – the holy Psa 87:3 – Glorious Psa 95:3 – a great Psa 99:9 – his holy Psa 101:8 – cut off Psa 145:1 – my God Son 6:4 – comely Jer 31:23 – and mountain Lam 1:6 – from Eze 7:20 – the beauty Eze 8:5 – at the Eze 16:13 – and thou wast Eze 24:25 – their strength Dan 11:45 – in the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 48:2. Beautiful for situation is mount Zion A beautiful place it is, which he hath chosen for his habitation; and that which especially renders it beautiful is, that it is the mountain of Gods holiness, the place where, in infinite wisdom, he hath fixed his sanctuary. The joy of the whole earth For the law was to go forth out of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem; the joyful doctrine of the gospel, the glad tidings of salvation, were to go out from thence unto all nations. The words however may be rendered, The joy of the, or this, whole land: for Gods sanctuary, the solemn feasts kept there, and the vast multitudes of people who from time to time assembled at them, rendered it a most desirable place. On the sides of the north It lies on the north side of Jerusalem; the city of the great King Of Jehovah, the King of heaven and earth. Zion, however, is thought by some to have been situated on the south side of the mountain; but the temple stood on the north side of it, and was its peculiar honour and distinction.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
48:2 Beautiful for situation, the {c} joy of the whole earth, [is] mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
(c) Because the word of salvation came there to all who would believe.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
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 Psa 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 ruled. However, Zion was the real ’Zaphon,’ for it was here that the Lord God of Israel, the ’Great King’ of the universe, lived and ruled (Psa 48:2)." [Note: Chisholm, "A Theology . . .," p. 264.]
The city was strong and safe because Yahweh resided there.