The Meaning of Psalms 48:3 Explained

Psalms 48:3

KJV: God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

YLT: God in her high places is known for a tower.

Darby: God is known in her palaces as a high fortress.

ASV: God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

God  is known  in her palaces  for a refuge. 

What does Psalms 48:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 48:1-14 - "the City Of Our God"
This psalm also probably dates from 2 Chronicles 20:20. Tekoa was only three hours' march from Jerusalem and commanded an extensive view, so that Psalms 48:4-5 were literally true.
The psalmist celebrates the beauty and glory of Zion, Psalms 48:1-3. The Church today is the City of the great King. Apart from God, the fairest palace is no refuge; but a cottage becomes a palace if God is known and loved there. Judah's recent deliverance is gratefully commemorated, Psalms 48:4-8. It is a sublime picture: the gathered array, the dismay, flight, and destruction of the foe. Then comes the call to loving thought on God's care and goodness, Psalms 48:9-14. Notice those two sentences-"As we have heard, so we have seen," Psalms 48:8; and, "As is thy name, so is thy praise," Psalms 48:10. Whatever we have been told by our fathers about God, God is prepared to be and do for us; and our aim should be to praise Him worthily. Think of His love till your heart kindles to praise; and remember that this God is yours forever and ever. Let us surrender to Him the guidance of every step, until we pass through death into His immediate presence. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 48

1  The ornaments and privileges of the church

What do the individual words in Psalms 48:3 mean?

God [is] in her palaces He is known as her refuge
אֱלֹהִ֥ים בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ נוֹדַ֥ע לְמִשְׂגָּֽב

אֱלֹהִ֥ים  God  [is] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: אֱלֹהִים  
Sense: (plural).
בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ  in  her  palaces 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine singular
Root: אַרְמֹון  
Sense: citadel, palace, fortress.
נוֹדַ֥ע  He  is  known 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: דָּעָה 
Sense: to know.
לְמִשְׂגָּֽב  as  her  refuge 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִשְׂגָּב 
Sense: high place, refuge, secure height, retreat.