Psalms 48:2-3

Psalms 48:2-3

[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.  [3] God  is known  in her palaces  for a refuge. 

What does Psalms 48:2-3 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

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 some25 miles to the northeast of Ugarit. The NIV translation of Psalm 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 ( Psalm 48:2)." [1]
The city was strong and safe because Yahweh resided there.