John Calvin Commentary Psalms 48:12

"Walk about Zion, and go round about her; Number the towers thereof;" — Psalms 48:12 (ASV)

And verse 13: Encompass Zion, and so on. Here the prophet again commends the situation and beauty of Jerusalem, intimating that the city was strongly fortified and impregnable. He does this because in these external things the blessing of God in some respect shone forth. We must always bear in mind what he stated in a preceding verse, that God in her palaces is known for a fortress. In making mention here of her towers and walls, we are not to suppose that he would have the minds of the faithful to rest in these things.

He rather sets them before us as a mirror in which the character of God may be seen. He therefore says, Encompass Zion—that is, look upon it carefully and attentively on every side—number her towers, and apply your mind to consider her walls; that is, estimate her palaces as they deserve. Thus it will be manifest beyond all doubt that this is a city chosen of God, since it far surpasses all other cities.

In insisting upon these points, his whole aim is to make manifest the character with which the Lord had invested Jerusalem by making it a sacred place, in which He Himself might take up His abode, and by erecting it as a dwelling-place for His people. Moreover, it seems that the prophet, in stating that the object of his exhortation was that the beauty and magnificence of the holy city might be reported to the succeeding generation, tacitly implies that the time would eventually come when that city would no longer be seen.

What need would there be for making this report if it could be seen and were always before the eyes of the world? Although, then, he has said a little before that Jerusalem is established forever, he now teaches us, by way of correction, what kind of perpetuity it will be: that it will endure only until the time of the renovation of the Church.

We belong to that coming generation to whom, it is said, these things will be reported, for we are sharers in all the benefits which God, in days of old, bestowed upon His ancient people. The outward splendor for which Jerusalem was admired is not, indeed, conspicuous among us today. However, since the coming of Christ into our world, the Church has been no less richly and magnificently adorned with spiritual gifts than Jerusalem, under the shadows of the Law, was in ancient times surrounded and fortified with strong walls and towers.

I have translated the word פסגו, pasgu, exalt, referring it to the value that should be attributed to the towers of the city because of their excellence. To explain it, as some do, as fortify or strengthen seems less suitable. If any are more inclined to follow the interpretation of those who render it look upon or behold, I have no great objection to it.