Fathers

Psalms 48

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Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 48:13

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Set your hearts upon her might." Not that ye may have the form of godliness, deny the power thereof, but, "upon her might set your hearts. Speak ye in her towers." What is the might of this city? Whoso would understand the might of this city, let him understand the force of love. That is a virtue which none conquereth. Love's flame no waves of the world, no streams of temptation, extinguish. …

ON THE PSALMS - Psalm 48 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

As to the second, he says, "Set your hearts upon its strength." Jerome has, "Set your heart upon its ramparts." And this is the power of the Holy Spirit, who protects this city: Lk. 24: "Stay in the city until you are clothed with power." This power is love: Song 8: "Love is strong as death." As to the third, he says, "And distribute its houses." Jerome has, "Separate its houses, distinguish its palaces." Distinguish, namely by right judgment. For there are some who, on account of a few bad people, wish to condemn the whole Church. …

Exposition on the Psalms of David ↗