Psalms 48:10-12

48:10 The praise you receive as far away as the ends of the earth

is worthy of your reputation, O God. ¹ 

You execute justice! ² 

48:11 Mount Zion rejoices;

the towns ³  of Judah are happy, ⁴ 

because of your acts of judgment. ⁵ 

48:12 Walk around ⁶  Zion! Encircle it!

Count its towers!

[48:10]  ¹ tn Heb “like your name, O God, so [is] your praise to the ends of the earth.” Here “name” refers to God’s reputation and revealed character.

[48:10]  ² tn Heb “your right hand is full of justice.” The “right hand” suggests activity and power.

[48:11]  ³ tn Heb “daughters.” The reference is to the cities of Judah surrounding Zion (see Ps 97:8 and H. Haag, TDOT 2:336).

[48:11]  ⁴ tn The prefixed verbal forms are understood as generalizing imperfects. (For other examples of an imperfect followed by causal לְמַעַן [lÿma’an], see Ps 23:3; Isa 49:7; 55:5.) Another option is to interpret the forms as jussives, “Let Mount Zion rejoice! Let the towns of Judah be happy!” (cf. NASB, NRSV; note the imperatives in vv. 12-13.)

[48:11]  ⁵ sn These acts of judgment are described in vv. 4-7.

[48:12]  ⁵ tn The verb forms in vv. 12-13 are plural; the entire Judahite community is addressed.