1. Introduction
Psalm 47 is a hymn celebrating God’s presence in Jerusalem, His holy city and dwelling-place among His people.
It continues the triumphant tone of the previous psalm, now focusing on Mount Sion as the symbol of divine stability and glory.
Tone: Majestic and confident.
Themes:
- God’s greatness in His city
- Security of Zion
- Praise among all nations
- Perpetual remembrance of divine faithfulness
Structure:
- Proclamation of God’s greatness in Sion (vv. 1–4)
- Victory over enemies (vv. 5–8)
- Praise and meditation in the temple (vv. 9–12)
- Call to future generations (vv. 13–15)
2. Text and Study Format
Verse 1
Latin:
Magnus Dominus et laudabilis nimis in civitate Dei nostri, in monte sancto eius.
Literal English:
Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised, in the city of our God, upon his holy mountain.
Word Notes:
- magnus, -a, -um — great.
- laudabilis, laudabile — praiseworthy.
- nimis — exceedingly.
- civitas, civitatis (f.) — city.
- mons, montis (m.) — mountain.
- sanctus, -a, -um — holy.
Verse 2
Latin:
Fundatur exsultatione universae terrae mons Sion; latera aquilonis, civitas regis magni.
Literal English:
Mount Sion is founded in the joy of the whole earth: on the northern slopes, the city of the great King.
Word Notes:
- fundor, fundari (dep.) — to be founded, established.
- exsultatio, exsultationis (f.) — joy, exultation.
- latera aquilonis — sides of the north (poetic topography of Jerusalem).
- rex magnus — the great King (God).
Verse 3
Latin:
Deus in domibus eius cognoscetur, cum suscipiet eam.
Literal English:
God is known in her palaces, when he shall take her in protection.
Word Notes:
- domus, domus (f.) — house, dwelling.
- cognosco, cognoscere, cognovi, cognitum — know, make known.
- suscipio, suscipere, suscepi, susceptum — take up, protect, receive.
Verse 4
Latin:
Quoniam ecce reges terrae congregati sunt; convenerunt in unum.
Literal English:
For behold, the kings of the earth were gathered together; they assembled as one.
Word Notes:
- ecce — behold.
- congrego, congregare — gather together.
- convenio, convenire, conveni, conventum — meet, assemble.
- in unum — together, as one.
Verse 5
Latin:
Ipsi videntes sic admirati sunt, conturbati sunt, moti sunt.
Literal English:
They saw, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, they were moved.
Word Notes:
- video, videre — see.
- admiror, admirari, admiratus sum — wonder, marvel.
- conturbo, conturbare — disturb, agitate.
- moveo, movere — move, shake.
Verse 6
Latin:
Tremor apprehendit eos; ibi dolores ut parturientis.
Literal English:
Fear took hold upon them; there were pains there, as of a woman in labour.
Word Notes:
- tremor, tremoris (m.) — trembling, fear.
- apprehendo, apprehendere, apprehendi, apprehensum — seize, grasp.
- dolor, doloris (m.) — pain, grief.
- parturio, parturire — to be in labour, travail.
Verse 7
Latin:
In spiritu vehementi conteres naves Tharsis.
Literal English:
With a strong wind thou shalt break the ships of Tharsis.
Word Notes:
- spiritus, spiritus (m.) — wind, spirit.
- vehemens, vehementis — strong, violent.
- contero, conterere, contrivi, contritum — crush, break.
- naves Tharsis — ships of Tarshish (symbol of distant power or commerce).
Verse 8
Latin:
Sicut audivimus, sic vidimus in civitate Dei nostri; in civitate Dei nostri, Deus fundavit eam in aeternum.
Literal English:
As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of our God: God has established it forever.
Word Notes:
- audio, audire — hear.
- video, videre — see.
- fundo, fundare, fundavi, fundatum — found, establish.
- in aeternum — forever.
Verse 9
Latin:
Suscepimus, Deus, misericordiam tuam in medio templi tui.
Literal English:
We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.
Word Notes:
- suscipio — take up, receive.
- misericordia, misericordiae (f.) — mercy.
- templum, templi (n.) — temple.
Verse 10
Latin:
Secundum nomen tuum, Deus, sic et laus tua in fines terrae; iustitia plena est dextera tua.
Literal English:
According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.
Word Notes:
- secundum + acc. — according to.
- laus, laudis (f.) — praise.
- fines terrae — ends of the earth.
- dextera, dexterae (f.) — right hand.
- iustitia, iustitiae (f.) — righteousness, justice.
Verse 11
Latin:
Laetetur mons Sion, et exsultent filiae Iudae, propter iudicia tua, Domine.
Literal English:
Let mount Sion rejoice, and let the daughters of Judah exult, because of thy judgments, O Lord.
Word Notes:
- laetor, laetari, laetatus sum — rejoice.
- exsulto, exsultare — exult, leap for joy.
- filiae Iudae — the towns or tribes of Judah (metaphorical “daughters”).
- iudicium, iudicii (n.) — judgment, decision.
Verse 12
Latin:
Circumdate Sion, et complectimini eam; narrate in turribus eius.
Literal English:
Encompass Sion, and embrace her; tell of her in her towers.
Word Notes:
- circumdo, circumdare, circumdedi, circumdatum — surround.
- complector, complecti, complexus sum — embrace, clasp.
- narro, narrare — tell, proclaim.
- turris, turris (f.) — tower.
Verse 13
Latin:
Ponite corda vestra in virtute eius, et distribuite domos eius, ut enarretis in progenie altera.
Literal English:
Set your hearts on her strength, and mark well her towers, that you may tell it to another generation.
Word Notes:
- pono, ponere, posui, positum — place, set.
- virtus, virtutis (f.) — strength, power.
- domus, domus (f.) — house, dwelling.
- progenies, progeniei (f.) — generation, offspring.
- enarro, enarrare — tell out, recount fully.
Verse 14
Latin:
Quoniam hic est Deus, Deus noster in aeternum et in saeculum saeculi; ipse reget nos in saecula.
Literal English:
For this is God, our God forever and ever; he will rule us unto the ages.
Word Notes:
- regeo, regere, rexi, rectum — guide, rule.
- in saeculum saeculi — for ever and ever (idiom of eternity).
3. Exercises
1️⃣ Translation:
Translate verses 11–13 from English to Latin:
“Let mount Sion rejoice and the daughters of Judah exult because of thy judgments, O Lord. Go round about Sion and tell of her in her towers.”
2️⃣ Grammar Practice:
- Identify all imperatives (e.g. circumdate, ponite, narrate).
- Parse fundatur, suscepimus, and laetetur.
- Explain the subjunctive purpose clause in ut enarretis in progenie altera.
3️⃣ Composition:
Write two Latin sentences using mons, civitas, and misericordia.
4️⃣ Vocabulary Matching:
(a) fundor —
(b) tremor —
(c) misericordia —
(d) dextera —
(e) progenies —
4. Final Comments
Psalm 47 (48) is a song of the holy city, transforming the geography of Jerusalem into a vision of divine permanence.
Zion is not only a fortress on earth but a symbol of spiritual security — “God is known in her palaces.”
The psalm’s structure moves from sight to faith:
- The nations tremble (vv. 4–6)
- The faithful rejoice (vv. 9–12)
- The generations remember (v. 13–14)
Christian writers saw in this psalm the image of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the Church triumphant, where God “is our God forever and ever.”
Its enduring message: while kingdoms rise and fall, the presence of God makes the city secure — Deus fundavit eam in aeternum.