John Trapp on Psalms 48:2

Verſ. 2.Pulcher ſurculo. Beautifull for ſituation] A beautifull Nymph, ſo R. Solomon. Or, beautifull for the branch that droppeth balſam, ſaith Moller; that is, for the Ark there ſeated. Or, for the tract and climat, as Joſh. 12.23. ſituat on the Northſide of Jeruſalem, as Iſa. 14.13. in a cold, drie and clear air, as Job 37.22. Sanantur illi, qui illic infirms conveniu[illegible: 1 letter]t, ſaith Kimchi, they which come thither weak, are made well.

The joy of the whole earth] Not only of the whole Land, becauſe thither three times a year the Tribes went up, the Tribes of the Lord unto the Teſtimony of Iſrael, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord, Pſal. 122.4. nor only of the Eaſt, whereof Jeruſalem was held and call'd the Queen, Ʋrbium totius Orient is clariſſima, ſaith Pliny, ſee Lam. 1.1. but alſo of the whole earth; Sumen totius orbis, as one calleth it, and Rabſhakeh himſelf (in that, more ingenuous than Strato) confeſſeth Judaa to be a Land of Corn and Wine, of bread and Vineyards, Iſa. 36.17. Hence it is called the excellency of Jacob, Pſal. 47.4. the goodneſs of the Lord for Wheat and for Wine, and for Oyl, and for the young of the flock, and of the Herd; for all which men ſhould come and ſing in the height of Zion Jer. 31.12. but eſpecially for ſpirituall bleſſings, that their ſouls might be as watered gardens, and they not ſorrow any more at all, ib. but come to Zion with ſongs and everlaſting joy upon their heads, Iſa. 35.10. for the grace of God that bringeth ſalvation to all men, therehence appearing, Tit. 2.11. Iſa. 2.3, 4. If Plutarch could ſay of Rome in Numa's time, that the Neighbour Villages ſucking in the air of that City, breathed Righteouſneſſs; how much better might the ſame be ſaid of this City of the great King, where God himſelf was reſiant, and his ſincere ſervice was eſtabliſhed, Pſal. 132.13?