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11 Mount Zion rejoices;
the towns[a] of Judah are happy,[b]
because of your acts of judgment.[c]
12 Walk around[d] Zion. Encircle it.
Count its towers.
13 Consider its defenses.[e]
Walk through[f] its fortresses,
so you can tell the next generation about it.[g]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 48:11 tn Heb “daughters.” The reference is to the cities of Judah surrounding Zion (see Ps 97:8 and H. Haag, TDOT 2:336).
  2. Psalm 48:11 tn The prefixed verbal forms are understood as generalizing imperfects. (For other examples of an imperfect followed by causal לְמַעַן [lemaʿan], 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.)
  3. Psalm 48:11 sn These acts of judgment are described in vv. 4-7.
  4. Psalm 48:12 tn The verb forms in vv. 12-13 are plural; the entire Judahite community is addressed.
  5. Psalm 48:13 tn Heb “set your heart to its rampart.”
  6. Psalm 48:13 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.”
  7. Psalm 48:13 sn The city’s towers, defenses, and fortresses are outward reminders and tangible symbols of the divine protection the city enjoys.

11 Mount Zion rejoices,
    the villages of Judah are glad
    because of your judgments.(A)

12 Walk about Zion, go around her,
    count her towers,(B)
13 consider well her ramparts,(C)
    view her citadels,(D)
that you may tell of them
    to the next generation.(E)

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