Psalm 48 10

Psalm 48:10 kjv

According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

Psalm 48:10 nkjv

According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.

Psalm 48:10 niv

Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.

Psalm 48:10 esv

As your name, O God, so your praise reaches to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

Psalm 48:10 nlt

As your name deserves, O God,
you will be praised to the ends of the earth.
Your strong right hand is filled with victory.

Psalm 48 verses

Psalm 48 10 Meaning

Psalm 48:10 expresses a joyful affirmation of divine faithfulness. It proclaims that what God’s people had received through testimony and prophecy, they have now tangibly witnessed in the secure protection and enduring nature of Jerusalem, the city where God's powerful presence dwells. This verse encapsulates the profound experience of seeing God's promises made manifest, guaranteeing that His divine presence will eternally establish His holy dwelling place.

Psalm 48 10 Context

Psalm 48 is a "Song of Zion," a hymn celebrating the unparalleled greatness and protective power of God as revealed in His holy city, Jerusalem. The opening verses (1-3) extol Zion's beauty and secure position as God's chosen dwelling. Verses 4-8 describe an occasion where mighty kings gathered against the city but, upon seeing its divine defenses, were overcome with fear and fled in panic, a direct demonstration of God's might. Verse 9 shifts to the people's reflective meditation on God's steadfast love within His temple. Psalm 48:10 serves as a summary and profound conclusion to this experience, linking the historical deliverance with God's enduring nature, transitioning from the immediate past to a declaration of eternal security for the city of God.

Historically, this psalm is often associated with God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from Sennacherib, King of Assyria, during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18-19; Isaiah 36-37). Assyria was the preeminent military power of that era, conquering surrounding nations with brutal efficiency. For the inhabitants of Jerusalem to "hear" the prophecies of their deliverance through Isaiah and then "see" the dramatic annihilation of the Assyrian army by a divine act (without a battle being fought by Israel) was an undeniable display of God's sovereignty. This event and the psalm commemorating it stood as a powerful polemic against the pagan beliefs of the time, demonstrating that Yahweh, the God of Israel, was far superior to any idol or regional deity, and His power protected His city far beyond the capabilities of human fortifications or the strength of any earthly army.

Psalm 48 10 Word analysis

• "As we have heard" (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר שָׁמַעְנוּ, ’ăšer šāmā‘nû):

  • שָׁמַע (shama’): To hear, listen, or perceive. In this context, it signifies the reception of divine communication, prophetic declarations, traditional accounts, or God's renown conveyed through prior generations or divine decree. It represents the foundation of faith based on God's revealed word.
  • This phrase indicates reliance on past knowledge and promises.

• "so have we seen" (Hebrew: כֵּן רָאִינוּ, kēn rā’înû):

  • רָאָה (ra’ah): To see, behold, or experience. It points to the direct, observable, and empirical confirmation of what was heard. This emphasizes the tangible fulfillment of God's promises in reality.
  • This is an affirmation of divine veracity, showing God's word to be perfectly true.

• "in the city of the Lord of hosts" (Hebrew: בְּעִיר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, bə‘îr YHWH Tsəbā’ôt):

  • "city" (עִיר, ‘îr): Refers to Jerusalem, specifically Mount Zion, which holds profound spiritual significance as God's chosen earthly dwelling place for His Temple and the seat of His presence among His people.
  • "Lord of hosts" (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, YHWH Tsəbā’ôt): This is a mighty and powerful title for God.
    • YHWH: The sacred, personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existence and unwavering faithfulness to His covenant.
    • צְבָאוֹת (Tsəbā’ôt): Means "armies" or "hosts." It encompasses all created beings, especially the heavenly angelic armies, signifying God's supreme authority, omnipotence, and command over all forces in the heavens and on earth. The title frequently appears in contexts of divine power in action, particularly in battle or deliverance.
  • This title establishes God as the sovereign Protector of the city, underscoring His unrivaled power over all earthly and heavenly forces.

• "in the city of our God" (Hebrew: בְּעִיר אֱלֹהֵינוּ, bə‘îr ’ĕlōhênû):

  • "our God" (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, ’ĕlōhênû): אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) is a general term for God, signifying His divine majesty and creative power. The possessive suffix -נוּ (-nu, meaning "our") highlights God's personal, covenantal relationship with Israel.
  • This parallel phrasing emphasizes not only God's universal sovereignty over the city but also His intimate and protective relationship as the God belonging specifically to His people.

• "God will establish it forever" (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים יְכוֹנְנֶהָ עַד עוֹלָם, ’Ĕlōhîm yəḵōwənenāh ‘ad-‘ôlām):

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, ’Ĕlōhîm): Here used to emphasize the ultimate divine power and agency in ensuring the city's endurance.
  • "will establish it" (יְכוֹנְנֶהָ, yəḵōwənenāh): Derived from the root כּוּן (kun), meaning to stand firm, be confirmed, to make stable, or set up permanently. The verb implies God's active role in making Jerusalem secure and lasting. It speaks of divine maintenance and unwavering support, ensuring its stability not by human effort but by His power.
  • "forever" (עַד עוֹלָם, ‘ad-‘ôlām): עַד (‘ad) means "until" or "unto"; עוֹלָם (‘olam) means "eternity," "perpetuity," or "the age." Together, they denote an unending, eternal duration.
  • This phrase makes a strong declaration of God's unchangeable purpose and decree concerning the perpetual security and enduring nature of His chosen city.

• "Selah" (סֶלָה, selah):

  • A musical or liturgical instruction, likely indicating a pause for reflection, emphasis, or a musical interlude. It serves to draw attention to the profound theological truth just stated, encouraging contemplation.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "As we have heard, so have we seen": This fundamental statement forms the backbone of the verse, expressing a faith that moves from auditory reception of truth to visible confirmation. It is a powerful testimonial of God's perfect consistency—His word never fails to be fulfilled. This validates the truthfulness of divine revelation through historical and personal experience.
  • "in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God": This powerful parallelism serves to characterize Jerusalem in two significant ways. First, as belonging to the supreme, universal Ruler who commands all cosmic forces ("Lord of hosts"), demonstrating its impenetrable defense. Second, as belonging to the God of the covenant, who maintains a deeply personal and faithful relationship with His people ("our God"), highlighting His intimate concern and loving proprietorship.
  • "God will establish it forever": This concluding phrase moves beyond past deliverance to future assurance. It is an unshakeable declaration of divine sovereignty over the fate of Jerusalem, ensuring its absolute stability and perpetual existence by God's direct, unchanging will and power. This points not only to historical preservation but also to the eschatological certainty of God's eternal kingdom.

Psalm 48 10 Bonus section

• Theological Reliability: The verse powerfully affirms God's immutability and the truthfulness of His word. It's a foundational theological statement that what God says, He does, and what He promises, He performs. This builds absolute confidence in His character and future promises.
• Eschatological Trajectory: While rooted in historical events concerning earthly Jerusalem, the promise that "God will establish it forever" stretches beyond the temporal city. In biblical prophecy and New Testament understanding, Zion and Jerusalem often serve as a type for God's ultimate eternal dwelling: the Church (the spiritual city of God) and finally the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven (Revelation 21-22). This implies that God's plan for a permanent, secure dwelling place with His people culminates in an everlasting reality far grander than any earthly city.
• Basis for Worship: This psalm was a hymn of communal worship. Experiencing the confirmation of God's word fuels fervent praise and deepens adoration. The pause invited by "Selah" further emphasizes the profound and enduring nature of God's protection and covenant commitment.

Psalm 48 10 Commentary

Psalm 48:10 is a powerful testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and enduring presence. It articulates the awe and assurance of those who have witnessed God's intervention, turning prophecies and promises into tangible realities. The statement "As we have heard, so have we seen" highlights the reliability of God's word; His past declarations are met with present demonstrations of His power and truth. The twin descriptors of Jerusalem as "the city of the Lord of hosts" and "the city of our God" reveal its dual significance: it is protected by God's universal omnipotence and cherished by His intimate, covenantal love. This ensures that Jerusalem's security and survival are not contingent on human strength or fleeting circumstances but are an absolute guarantee from the God who commands all creation. The culminating promise, "God will establish it forever," transcends any immediate victory, pointing to an eternal, divine decree of preservation and perpetuity. This provides ultimate security and hope. For believers today, this verse stands as a reminder that God remains faithful to His word in every generation, providing evidence for our faith in His past acts and ensuring His future promises for His spiritual city—the Church and the New Jerusalem—will be perfectly realized. It calls us to reflect on God's demonstrated faithfulness in our own lives, providing an anchor for trust in His future leading and promises. For example, remembering how God provided in the past gives us confidence for future needs; seeing a specific prayer answered reinforces trust in His hearing us; or observing the consistent upholding of His moral order in the world assures us of His ultimate justice.