Psalms 48:11-13

48:11 Mount Zion rejoices;

the towns ¹  of Judah are happy, ² 

because of your acts of judgment. ³ 

48:12 Walk around ⁴  Zion! Encircle it!

Count its towers!

48:13 Consider its defenses! ⁵ 

Walk through ⁶  its fortresses,

so you can tell the next generation about it! ⁷ 

[48:11]  ¹ 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]  ² 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]  ³ sn These acts of judgment are described in vv. 4-7.

[48:12]  ⁴ tn The verb forms in vv. 12-13 are plural; the entire Judahite community is addressed.

[48:13]  ⁵ tn Heb “set your heart to its rampart.”

[48:13]  ⁶ tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word translated “walk through,” which occurs only here in the OT, is uncertain. Cf. NEB “pass…in review”; NIV “view.”

[48:13]  ⁷ sn The city’s towers, defenses, and fortresses are outward reminders and tangible symbols of the divine protection the city enjoys.