Psalm 48:3
New International Version
God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress.

New Living Translation
God himself is in Jerusalem’s towers, revealing himself as its defender.

English Standard Version
Within her citadels God has made himself known as a fortress.

Berean Standard Bible
God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress.

King James Bible
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

New King James Version
God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge.

New American Standard Bible
In its palaces, God has made Himself known as a stronghold.

NASB 1995
God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

NASB 1977
God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

Legacy Standard Bible
God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

Amplified Bible
God, in her palaces, Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

Christian Standard Bible
God is known as a stronghold in its citadels.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God is known as a stronghold in its citadels.

American Standard Version
God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.

Contemporary English Version
God is there to defend it and has proved to be its protector.

English Revised Version
God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God is in its palaces. He has proved that he is a stronghold.

Good News Translation
God has shown that there is safety with him inside the fortresses of the city.

International Standard Version
Within her citadels God is known as a place of refuge.

Majority Standard Bible
God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress.

NET Bible
God is in its fortresses; he reveals himself as its defender.

New Heart English Bible
God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.

Webster's Bible Translation
God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

World English Bible
God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
God is known for a tower in her high places.

Young's Literal Translation
God in her high places is known for a tower.

Smith's Literal Translation
God being known in her fortresses for a height.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
In her houses, God will be known, since he will support her.

New American Bible
God is in its citadel, renowned as a stronghold.

New Revised Standard Version
Within its citadels God has shown himself a sure defense.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
God shows his might in her walled cities.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God within her walls makes known his strength.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
God in her palaces Hath made Himself known for a stronghold.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
God is known in her palaces, when he undertakes to help her.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Broken Bondage
2Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King. 3God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress. 4For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together.…

Cross References
Isaiah 33:20-21
Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts. Your eyes will see Jerusalem, a peaceful pasture, a tent that does not wander; its tent pegs will not be pulled up, nor will any of its cords be broken. / But there the Majestic One, our LORD, will be for us a place of rivers and wide canals, where no galley with oars will row, and no majestic vessel will pass.

Hebrews 12:22
Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels

Revelation 21:10-11
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, / shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.

Psalm 46:4-5
There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. / God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns.

Isaiah 2:2-3
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:1-2
In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. / And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Zechariah 8:3
This is what the LORD says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain.”

Revelation 14:1
Then I looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Psalm 87:1-3
A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A song. He has founded His city on the holy mountains. / The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. / Glorious things are ascribed to you, O city of God. Selah

Ezekiel 48:35
The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Joel 3:17
Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

Isaiah 60:14
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Revelation 3:12
The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.

Psalm 132:13-14
For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home: / “This is My resting place forever and ever; here I will dwell, for I have desired this home.


Treasury of Scripture

God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

Psalm 76:1-5
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song of Asaph. In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel…

Psalm 125:1
A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.

2 Chronicles 12:7
And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

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Psalm 48
1. The ornaments and privileges of the church














God is in her citadels;
This phrase emphasizes the presence of God within the fortified structures of Jerusalem, often referred to as Zion. The term "citadels" refers to the strongholds or defensive structures that protect a city. In ancient times, cities were often built with walls and towers to defend against invaders. Theologically, this signifies God's protective presence among His people, ensuring their safety and security. The imagery of God dwelling in the citadels suggests that His presence is the true source of strength and protection, rather than the physical walls themselves. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as Psalm 46:5, which states, "God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day."

He has shown Himself to be a fortress.
Here, God is depicted as a fortress, a common biblical metaphor for divine protection and strength. This imagery is prevalent throughout the Psalms, where God is often described as a refuge and stronghold for His people (e.g., Psalm 18:2, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer"). Historically, fortresses were vital for the defense of a city, providing a place of safety during attacks. Spiritually, this phrase reassures believers of God's unwavering protection and faithfulness. It also foreshadows the ultimate security found in Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of God's promises and the ultimate refuge for believers. The idea of God as a fortress is a reminder of His unchanging nature and His role as a protector throughout biblical history.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, depicted as a protector and fortress for His people.

2. Her Citadels
Refers to the fortified parts of the city of Jerusalem, symbolizing strength and security.

3. Jerusalem
The city of God, often seen as a representation of God's presence and protection over His people.

4. Fortress
A metaphor for God's protection and strength, emphasizing His role as a defender.
Teaching Points
God's Presence as Security
Just as the citadels of Jerusalem provided physical security, God's presence offers spiritual security to believers. We can trust in His protection in our lives.

Divine Protection
Understanding God as a fortress encourages us to rely on Him during times of trouble. He is our ultimate defender against spiritual and physical adversities.

Symbolism of Jerusalem
Jerusalem represents the dwelling place of God among His people. As believers, we are called to be the spiritual "city" where God resides, reflecting His glory and strength.

Faith in God's Strength
Our faith should be anchored in the knowledge that God is our fortress. This assurance should embolden us to face life's challenges with confidence.

Community of Believers
Just as the citadels were part of a larger city, we are part of a community of believers. Together, we form a spiritual stronghold, supporting and protecting one another through God's power.(3) Refuge.--See Note, Psalm 46:1. Prominence should be given to the idea of security from height. We might render, "God among her castles is known as a high and secure tower."

Verse 3. - God is known in her palaces for a Refuge; or, in her castles. The palaces of the king and his chief nobles are, no doubt, intended.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
God
אֱלֹהִ֥ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is in her citadels;
בְּאַרְמְנוֹתֶ֗יהָ (bə·’ar·mə·nō·w·ṯe·hā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 759: A citadel

He has shown Himself
נוֹדַ֥ע (nō·w·ḏa‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

a fortress.
לְמִשְׂגָּֽב׃ (lə·miś·gāḇ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4869: A secure height, retreat, stronghold


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OT Poetry: Psalm 48:3 God has shown himself in her citadels (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 48:2
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