Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just say God is "greatly to be praised," but that He is "greatly to be praised in the city of our God." This emphasizes that God's presence and dwelling place are where His greatness is most fully experienced and, therefore, where the highest praise is due. It’s a powerful reminder that worship is deeply tied to His specific inhabitation among His people.
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm, likely sung after a miraculous deliverance, begins by celebrating Jerusalem, the "city of our God," and Mount Zion, the "mountain of his holiness." The focus is on God's majestic presence and protection within this sacred city, which is about to be contrasted with the defeated enemies who marveled at its invincibility. The immediate context is the overwhelming awe and praise due to God for safeguarding His chosen dwelling place.
Why does the Psalmist start by declaring God 'great'? What does it mean for God to be 'greatly to be praised'?
The opening of Psalm 48 isn't just a statement of fact; it's a theological foundation.
A Magnitude Beyond Measure
When the Psalmist declares "Great is the LORD," he's talking about God's inherent worth and absolute sovereignty. This isn't about God being a great being, but the source of all greatness, the one whose majesty is immeasurable.
Praise Proportioned to His Worth
"Greatly to be praised" means our praise should be as boundless as God's own greatness. It's a call for a response that matches His immense value. This isn't just about singing songs; it's about orienting our entire lives to acknowledge and honor His supreme status. It’s a radical call to a life lived in awe.
The verse grounds God's greatness in a specific location. What's the significance of 'the city of our God' and 'His holy mountain'?
Psalm 48 connects God's transcendent greatness to a tangible reality on earth – Jerusalem.
The City of God's Presence
"The city of our God" refers to Jerusalem, specifically chosen by God as the place where He would dwell among His people. This wasn't just any city; it was holy because God's presence was uniquely there, centered around the Temple on Mount Zion (or Mount Moriah).
Ask a follow-up
A Symbol of Divine Protection
This holy mountain became a symbol of God's power and protection. The psalm (and the context provided by the commentaries) often speaks of God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from enemies. Therefore, the city and its mountain weren't just geographically significant; they represented God's faithfulness and His secure refuge for His people.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal name of the God of Israel, YHWH, revealing His self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and holiness. It is the name by which He makes Himself known to His people.
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
A place characterized by a set-apart nature, specifically dedicated to the service and presence of God. In the Old Testament, mountains are often the sites of divine encounter and revelation.
iyr · Hebrew Noun
A physical location set apart for the dwelling of God among His people; symbolically represents the center of God's rule, worship, and the sanctuary of His presence.
Tsiyown · Hebrew Noun
Refers specifically to the Temple mount in Jerusalem, the site chosen by God as His earthly dwelling place, symbolizing His authority and protection over Israel.
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title denoting the supreme sovereignty and authority of God over all nations, creation, and history. It emphasizes His role as the ultimate Ruler and Judge.
This psalm likely celebrates a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from foreign invasion, echoing past victories and reinforcing faith in God's protective presence within His chosen city and Temple.
c. 997 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
King David conquers the Jebusite city of Jerusalem and makes it his capital, establishing it as the 'City of David' and the religious center of Israel.
c. 967 BC
Solomon Builds the First Temple
King Solomon builds the magnificent Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem, solidifying its status as the holy city and the focal point of Israel's worship.
701 BC— this verse
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
King Sennacherib of Assyria besieges Jerusalem, but miraculously withdraws after a devastating plague strikes his army. This event is a likely backdrop for this psalm.
586 BC
Babylonian Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile much of the population, a stark contrast to the security celebrated in this psalm.
c. 516 BC
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Following the return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem, restoring it as a place of worship and national identity.
This passage echoes Psalm 48:1 by calling for joyful praise to God in the midst of His people, highlighting His presence and saving power. Both verses emphasize that God's greatness calls for exuberant celebration.
Zechariah 8:3Zechariah prophesies Jerusalem as the 'city of truth' and the 'mountain of holiness,' directly connecting to the imagery in Psalm 48:1. It shows that the glory attributed to God's city in the psalm was a future hope and promise.
Hebrews 12:22-24This New Testament passage speaks of a heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God, and Mount Zion, which directly relates to the theme of God's holy mountain and city in Psalm 48. It expands the concept from an earthly city to God's eternal dwelling place.
Psalm 87:1-3Similar to Psalm 48, this psalm extols Zion as the place God loves, mentioning it as the 'city of our God' and a place of renown. Both psalms celebrate God's special dwelling place and the joy it brings.
poolePsalms 48:1: "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."
THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed upon the occasion of some eminent deliverance vouchsafed by God to the city of Jerusalem from some potent enemy and dreadful danger; either that in Jehoshaphat’s time, 2 Chronicles 20 $, or that under Hezekiah, 2Ki 18$, 19$; in both which times there were holy prophets, by some of whom this Psalm might b…
ellicottPsalms 48:1: "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."
(1) To be praised. —See Psalm 18:3 , Note.
The verse doesn't just say God is "greatly to be praised," but that He is "greatly to be praised in the city of our God." This emphasizes that God's presence and dwelling place are where His greatness is most fully experienced and, therefore, where the highest praise is due. It’s a powerful reminder that worship is deeply tied to His specific inhabitation among His people.
This psalm, likely sung after a miraculous deliverance, begins by celebrating Jerusalem, the "city of our God," and Mount Zion, the "mountain of his holiness." The focus is on God's majestic presence and protection within this sacred city, which is about to be contrasted with the defeated enemies who marveled at its invincibility. The immediate context is the overwhelming awe and praise due to God for safeguarding His chosen dwelling place.
This psalm, likely sung after a miraculous deliverance, begins by celebrating Jerusalem, the "city of our God," and Mount Zion, the "mountain of his holiness." The focus is on God's majestic presence and protection within this sacred city, which is about to be contrasted with the defeated enemies who marveled at its invincibility. The immediate context is the overwhelming awe and praise due to God for safeguarding His chosen dwelling place.
"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King." — The verse doesn't just say God is "greatly to be praised," but that He is "greatly to be praised in the city of our God." This emphasizes that God's presence and dwelling place are where His greatn…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026