Psalm 48:1
New International Version
A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

New Living Translation
How great is the LORD, how deserving of praise, in the city of our God, which sits on his holy mountain!

English Standard Version
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,

Berean Standard Bible
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.

King James Bible
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

New King James Version
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain.

New American Standard Bible
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

NASB 1995
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

NASB 1977
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Legacy Standard Bible
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Amplified Bible
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Christian Standard Bible
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. The LORD is great and highly praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. The LORD is great and highly praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain,

American Standard Version
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD God is wonderful! He deserves all praise in the city where he lives. His holy mountain,

English Revised Version
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[A song; a psalm by Korah's descendants.] The LORD is great. He should be highly praised. His holy mountain is in the city of our God.

Good News Translation
The LORD is great and is to be highly praised in the city of our God, on his sacred hill.

International Standard Version
Great is the LORD! For he is to be praised greatly, even in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

Majority Standard Bible
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.

NET Bible
A song, a psalm by the Korahites. The LORD is great and certainly worthy of praise in the city of our God, his holy hill.

New Heart English Bible
[A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Webster's Bible Translation
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

World English Bible
A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A SONG. A PSALM OF THE SONS OF KORAH. Great [is] YHWH, and greatly praised, "" In the city of our God—His holy hill.

Young's Literal Translation
A Song, a Psalm, by sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and praised greatly, In the city of our God -- His holy hill.

Smith's Literal Translation
A song of chanting to the sons of Korah. Great is Jehovah, and greatly praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week. Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Catholic Public Domain Version
A Canticle Psalm. To the sons of Korah, on the second Sabbath. The Lord is great and exceedingly praiseworthy, in the city of our God, on his holy mountain.

New American Bible
A psalm of the Korahites. A song. [2] Great is the LORD and highly praised in the city of our God: His holy mountain,

New Revised Standard Version
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God. His holy mountain,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
GREAT is our LORD, and exceedingly exalted in the city of our God and in his holy and glorious mountain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Great is our Lord and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God and in his holy mountain.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, In the city of our God, His holy mountain,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A Psalm of praise for the sons of Core on the second day of the week. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Broken Bondage
1A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. 2Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.…

Cross References
Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 96:4
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 95:3
For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Psalm 86:10
For You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God.

Psalm 77:13
Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God?

Psalm 47:2
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!

Psalm 99:2
Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.

Psalm 135:5
For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods.

Psalm 113:4
The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.

Isaiah 12:6
Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, You are my God! I will exalt You; I will praise Your name. For You have worked wonders—plans formed long ago—in perfect faithfulness.

Isaiah 40:9
Go up on a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. Raise your voice loudly, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. Lift it up, do not be afraid! Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”

Isaiah 33:5
The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.

Jeremiah 10:6
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.


Treasury of Scripture

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

for.

Psalm 46:1
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Great

Psalm 86:10
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.

Psalm 99:3,4
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy…

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

greatly

Psalm 89:1-7
Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations…

Nehemiah 9:5
Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.

Revelation 15:3,4
And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints…

city

Psalm 46:4
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.

Psalm 65:1
To the chief Musician, A Psalm and Song of David. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed.

Psalm 78:68
But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.

mountain

Psalm 47:8
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

Psalm 99:9
Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy.

Isaiah 2:2,3
And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it…

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Psalm 48
1. The ornaments and privileges of the church














A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
This introduction indicates that the psalm is both a song and a psalm, suggesting its use in worship and liturgical settings. The sons of Korah were a group of Levitical singers and musicians, descendants of Korah, who played a significant role in temple worship. Their association with this psalm highlights its importance in the religious life of Israel. The Korahites are known for their contributions to the Psalter, with several psalms attributed to them, emphasizing themes of God's majesty and the beauty of His dwelling place.

Great is the LORD,
This phrase declares the incomparable greatness of Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It reflects the central theme of God's sovereignty and majesty, which is a recurring motif throughout the Psalms. The greatness of the LORD is a foundational truth in Scripture, echoed in passages like Psalm 145:3 and Jeremiah 10:6, underscoring His unmatched power and authority over creation and history.

and greatly to be praised
The call to praise God greatly is a response to His greatness. This phrase emphasizes the appropriate human reaction to the divine majesty and acts as an invitation to worship. The intensity of praise reflects the depth of understanding and appreciation of God's character and deeds. This concept is mirrored in other scriptures, such as Psalm 96:4 and Revelation 4:11, where God's worthiness of praise is a central theme.

in the city of our God,
The city referred to here is Jerusalem, often called the city of God due to its significance as the spiritual and political center of Israel. Jerusalem is the location of the temple, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. This phrase highlights the special status of Jerusalem in biblical theology, as seen in passages like Psalm 46:4 and Isaiah 2:3, where it is depicted as a place of divine revelation and blessing.

His holy mountain.
This refers to Mount Zion, the hill upon which Jerusalem and the temple were built. The term "holy mountain" signifies the sacredness of the location, set apart for God's purposes. In biblical thought, mountains are often associated with divine encounters and revelations, as seen in Exodus 19 with Mount Sinai. Mount Zion holds eschatological significance as well, being a symbol of God's ultimate reign and the gathering of His people, as prophesied in Isaiah 2:2-4 and Micah 4:1-2.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The central figure of this verse, Yahweh is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His greatness and worthiness of praise.

2. The City of Our God
This refers to Jerusalem, often seen as the physical and spiritual center of God's presence among His people.

3. His Holy Mountain
This is Mount Zion, a symbol of God's dwelling place and a representation of His holiness and majesty.
Teaching Points
The Greatness of God
Recognize and meditate on the greatness of God in your daily life. His greatness is beyond comprehension and worthy of our highest praise.

The Importance of Worship
Worship is not just a Sunday activity but a daily acknowledgment of God's greatness. Let your life be a continuous act of worship.

God's Presence in Our Lives
Just as God dwelt in Jerusalem, He desires to dwell in our hearts. Invite His presence into every aspect of your life.

Holiness and Reverence
Approach God with a sense of reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness and the privilege it is to be in His presence.

Community and Fellowship
The "city of our God" symbolizes community. Engage actively in your church community, reflecting God's presence and love to others.(1) To be praised.--See Psalm 18:3, Note.

Verse 1. - Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; rather, great is the Lord, and greatly is he praised. The psalmist speaks of what is, not of what ought to be. Jehoshaphat had solemnly praised God for the deliverance from the Moabites and Ammonites, both in the valley of Berachah, when he came upon the bodies of the slain (2 Chronicles 20:26), and in the temple after his return to Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 20:28). In the city of our God (comp. Psalm 46:4; Psalm 101:8). In the mountain of his holiness. The "holy hill of Zion" (Psalm 2:6), on which the temple and a great part of the city stood.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A Song.
שִׁ֥יר (šîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

A Psalm
מִ֝זְמוֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of the sons
לִבְנֵי־ (liḇ·nê-)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Korah.
קֹֽרַח׃ (qō·raḥ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7141: Korah -- an Edomite name, also an Israelite name

Great is
גָּ֘ד֤וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

the LORD,
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and greatly
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

to be praised,
וּמְהֻלָּ֣ל (ū·mə·hul·lāl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine

in the city
בְּעִ֥יר (bə·‘îr)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of our God,
אֱ֝לֹהֵ֗ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

His holy
קָדְשֽׁוֹ׃ (qā·ḏə·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

mountain.
הַר־ (har-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT Poetry: Psalm 48:1 A Song (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 47:9
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