Psalms 48:11-12

48:11 Mount Zion rejoices;

the towns of Judah are happy,

because of your acts of judgment.

48:12 Walk around Zion! Encircle it!

Count its towers!


tn Heb “daughters.” The reference is to the cities of Judah surrounding Zion (see Ps 97:8 and H. Haag, TDOT 2:336).

tn The prefixed verbal forms are understood as generalizing imperfects. (For other examples of an imperfect followed by causal לְמַעַן [lÿmaan], 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.)

sn These acts of judgment are described in vv. 4-7.

tn The verb forms in vv. 12-13 are plural; the entire Judahite community is addressed.