The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14
The psalm consists of two strophes, nearly of equal length, divided at the end of 2 Chronicles 20:8 by the pause-mark, "Selah." read more
詩篇 48:1-3 Rcuvts
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14
God's own Church the object of his special care. In this psalm, which is both song and psalm, and is one of those "for the sons of Korah," there is a general theme, illustrated by a reference to some historic event. The general theme is the loving-kindness and care of God over his Church. The specific historic illustration it is not possible to fix with certainty, although the preponderance of opinion, and also the largest amount of probability, seems to incline towards the wondrous... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14
The Church and her Head. This psalm may teach us something of— I. THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH . The outward is the symbol of the inward. The glory of the Church is not material, but moral. Mind is of all things the greatest. One soul is infinitely more precious than the richest domains. Think of some great man—Newton, Bacon, or Shakespeare. If all the wealth in that one mind could be yours, would you not choose it rather than the grandest of earthly inheritances? And how rich... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14
The eternal city of God. A patriotic hymn, to be sung in the temple service in celebration of a signal deliverance of Jerusalem from an invading army. Commentators are not agreed as to what army. Let it be taken as suggesting some things which may be said of the true eternal city of God , what it is, and what it will become through everlasting ages, exhibiting the greatest glory of man and the highest glory of God. I. SOCIETY FOUNDED AND BUILT UP IN HOLINESS . ( ... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:2
Beautiful for situation ; literally, for elevation ; i.e. in respect of its lofty position. "Jerusalem, above all other great capitals," says Professor Cheyne, "is a mountain city." "It is a glorious burst," says Canon Tristram, "as the traveller rounds the shoulder of Mount Olivet, and the Haram wall starts up before him from the deep gorge of the Kedron, with its domes and crescents sparkling in the sunlight—a royal city". The joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion (comp. Romans... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:3
God is known in her palaces for a Refuge ; or, in her castles. The palaces of the king and his chief nobles are, no doubt, intended. read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:1
Great is the Lord - That is, he is high and exalted; he is a Being of great power and glory. He is not weak and feeble, like the idols worshipped by other nations. He is able to defend his people; he has shown his great power in overthrowing the mighty forces that were gathered together against the city where he dwells.And greatly to be praised - Worthy to be praised. In his own nature, he is worthy of adoration; in interposing to save the city from its foes, he has shown that he is worthy of... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:2
Beautiful for situation - The word rendered “situation” - נוף nôph - means properly “elevation, height,” (Ges. Lexicon); and the idea here is, that the mountain referred to is “beautiful for elevation;” that is, it rises gracefully. The allusion here is to Jerusalem as it would appear to one approaching it, and especially as it appeared to the “kings” Psalms 48:4 who came to invest it, and who were so impressed with its marvelous beauty and strength, that they were afraid to attack it, and... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:3
God is known in her palaces - The word rendered “palaces” here means properly a fortress, castle, or palace, so called from its height, from a verb, ארם 'âram, meaning to elevate, to lift up. It may be applied to any fortified place, and would be particularly applicable to a royal residence, as a castle or stronghold. The word “known” here means that it was well understood, or that the point had been fully tested and determined that God had chosen those abodes as his special residence - as the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised ; rather, great is the Lord , and greatly is he praised. The psalmist speaks of what is, not of what ought to be. Jehoshaphat had solemnly praised God for the deliverance from the Moabites and Ammonites, both in the valley of Berachah, when he came upon the bodies of the slain ( 2 Chronicles 20:26 ), and in the temple after his return to Jerusalem ( 2 Chronicles 20:28 ). In the city of our God (comp. Psalms 46:4 ; Psalms 101:8 ). ... read more