Psalm 48 is a hymn celebrating Zion as God’s special city, which God defends for the sake of the world. It commemorates an event where gentile nations threatened Zion, and God protected the city and the people within.  We can identify with this psalm as it is God himself who is our defense.

1-3 – The LORD is King, and he resides in Zion, Jerusalem. The reference to the holy mountain could be to the Temple in Jerusalem, but because of the reference of the holy mountain to be in the north, it is probably a poetic term, idiom, not for a physical location but for the throne of God over all creation.  See Isaiah 14:13.

4-8 – The gentile nations that attacked Jerusalem are defeated.  Even a mighty east wind destroys their ships.  

9-11 – The LORD’s presence and protection of Jerusalem brings joy to his people.  Such deliverance displays God’s steadfast love for his people.  The reference to the daughters of Judah is a poetic term for the towns and villages of Judah.

12-14 – While the congregation admires the strength of the city, yet it is God secures the city.  The congregation commissions itself to tell the next generation of this display of God’s steadfast love for them.