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…

Jump to Previous
City Great Greatly Hill Holiness Holy Korah Korah&Gt Mountain Praise Praised Psalm Song Worthy
Jump to Next
City Great Greatly Hill Holiness Holy Korah Korah&Gt Mountain Praise Praised Psalm Song Worthy
Psalm 48
1. The ornaments and privileges of the church














Great is the LORD
The phrase begins with an emphatic declaration of the LORD's greatness. The Hebrew word for "great" is "gadol," which conveys not only size but also importance, power, and majesty. This sets the tone for the entire psalm, emphasizing the unmatched sovereignty and magnificence of God. In the context of ancient Israel, this declaration would remind the people of God's mighty acts throughout their history, from creation to the deliverance from Egypt. The LORD, or "Yahweh," is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people.

and greatly to be praised
The repetition of the root "gadol" in "greatly" underscores the intensity and worthiness of the praise due to God. The Hebrew word "me'od" suggests an abundance or exceeding measure, indicating that God's praise should be as boundless as His greatness. This phrase calls believers to respond to God's majesty with heartfelt worship, recognizing that no amount of human adoration can fully encapsulate His glory. Historically, this would be a call to the Israelites to engage in worship at the temple, the center of their spiritual life.

in the city of our God
This phrase locates the praise within a specific geographical and spiritual context—Jerusalem, often referred to as Zion. The city is not just a physical location but a symbol of God's dwelling among His people. The phrase "our God" personalizes the relationship, emphasizing a communal bond between God and His chosen people. Archaeologically, Jerusalem was the heart of Israelite worship, housing the temple where God's presence was believed to dwell. This highlights the significance of the city as a place of divine-human encounter.

His holy mountain
The term "holy mountain" refers to Mount Zion, the elevated site of Jerusalem. The Hebrew word "qodesh" for "holy" signifies something set apart for a sacred purpose. This mountain is not just a physical elevation but a spiritual one, representing God's holiness and the place where heaven and earth meet. In the ancient Near Eastern context, mountains were often seen as dwelling places of the gods, but for Israel, Mount Zion was uniquely the dwelling place of the one true God. This phrase invites believers to ascend in their spiritual journey, seeking the holiness that God embodies and imparts.

(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


Links
Psalm 48:1 NIV
Psalm 48:1 NLT
Psalm 48:1 ESV
Psalm 48:1 NASB
Psalm 48:1 KJV

Psalm 48:1 BibleApps.com
Psalm 48:1 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 48:1 Chinese Bible
Psalm 48:1 French Bible
Psalm 48:1 Catholic Bible

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