Psalms 48:13

13 (47-14) Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.

Psalms 48:13 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 48:13

Mark ye well her bulwarks
Such as the free favour of God in Christ; which is not only as a shield, but as a bulwark to the church; his everlasting love, electing grace, the covenant of grace, with its blessings and promises, all which are more immovable than rocks and mountains; and especially the power of God, which surrounds his church, as the mountains did Jerusalem; and by which they are kept and preserved as in a garrison, ( Psalms 125:2 ) ( 1 Peter 1:5 ) . Also salvation by Christ; his righteousness, sacrifice, and satisfaction, which God has appointed for walls and bulwarks, and which make the city, the church, a strong and impregnable one, ( Isaiah 26:1 ) . Likewise the Spirit of God, and his operations and influences, which are a standard against the enemy's flood of opposition and persecution; and who being in his church and people, is greater than he that is in the world, ( Isaiah 59:19 ) ( 1 John 4:4 ) . Some render the words, set "your hearts on her strength", as the Vulgate Latin version; that is, on Christ, who is the strength of the poor and needy in their distress; the strength of their hearts, of their lives, and of their salvation, and the security of the church. Others readier them, "set your hearts on her armies"; as the Targum is; her volunteers, her soldiers, who endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ, fight the Lord's battles, and are more than conquerors through him; and a lovely sight it is to behold them, with Christ at the head of them; see ( Revelation 19:14 ) ;

consider her palaces;
for Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, have their dwelling places in Zion; and here, besides apostles, prophets, evangelists, and ordinary ministers of the word, who are rulers and officers set in the first place, every saint is a prince and a king; and has a place and a name here, better than that of sons and daughters of the greatest potentate on earth; every dwelling place in Mount Zion is a palace.

that ye may tell [it] to the generation following:
that is, the beauty and glory, strength and safety of the church; and even all that is spoken of her in this psalm, as well as what follows: this is the end proposed by taking a circuit round Zion, and making the above observations on it.

Psalms 48:13 In-Context

11 (47-12) Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

12 (47-13) Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell lye in her towers.

13 (47-14) Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.

14 (47-15) For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.