question on Psalm 48 and Zion

Hi All,
I am just studying and noticed that psalm 48 says that mount Zion is in the Far North;What does it mean by this,Jerusalem is not in the far north,Any help appreciated,Staff

48 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion in the far north,
The city of the great King.
3 God, in her palaces,
Has made Himself known as a stronghold.

Hi Staff

I think most versions say "sides of the north" not "far north".

I looked at Keil and Delitzsch commentary which says

"We therefore take the expression “sides of the north” to be a topographical designation, and intended literally. Mount Zion is thereby more definitely designated as the Temple-hill; for the Temple-hill, or Zion in the narrower sense, formed in reality the north-eastern angle or corner of ancient Jerusalem. It is not necessarily the extreme north (Eze_38:6; Eze_39:2), which is called ירכתי צפון; for יִרְכָּתַיִם are the two sides, then the angle in which the two side lines meet, and just such a northern angle was Mount Moriah by its position in relation to the city of David and the lower city."

Hope this helps

david

Hi David,
Thanks for your answer much appreciated Staff