Psalms 48:1-3

1-3. These verses declare the glory of God in Zion, and the glory of Zion in the whole earth, first, for her strength and beauty, but chiefly as the abode and city of God. Thus the glory of God and of his Church is shown to be inseparable.

Joy of the whole earth The strength of Jerusalem was the admiration of the nations, but probably “joy of the whole earth” should read, “joy of the” whole land, namely, of Palestine. To the Hebrew only it could be a “joy.”

The sides of the north The hill Zion was cut on the north, northeast, and east by the deep Tyropeon valley. If we take ירכתי , ( yarkethe,) dual, for the “ two sides of the north,” that is, north and northeast of Zion, the description answers literally to the central strength and glory of Jerusalem in her earlier history, especially as beyond the Tyropeon, on the east and north, lay the rocky prominences of Ophel and Moriah, with their inaccessible fortifications, crowned with the palace of Solomon and the temple. It is wonderful that at this present time the excavations of Jerusalem are developing the amazing strength of the ancient walls and substructures in this same locality. But this strength of Zion is only a type of the imperishable defences and stability of the true Church. Matthew 16:18; Isaiah 26:1.

God is known in her palaces This was her crowning glory. It was “the city of the great King.”