Psalm 48:1-9 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:9

We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God ,.... Jarchi interprets it, "we have waited for thy lovingkindness"; to see thy salvation; and some, as Ben Melech observes, explain it of hope and expectation; as if the sense was, "we have hoped for thy lovingkindness"; so the Syriac version renders it, and the word used has the signification of tarrying, 1 Samuel 14:9 . God has his set time to favour his Zion, and till that time comes it is right in them to be hoping, expecting, and waiting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1

Great is the Lord - This verse should be joined to the last verse of the preceding Psalm, as it is a continuation of the same subject; and indeed in some of Kennicott's MSS. it is written as a part of the foregoing. That concluded with He is greatly exalted; this begins with Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; i.e., He should be praised according to his greatness; no common praise is suited to the nature and dignity of the Supreme God. In the city of our God - That is, in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:2

The joy of the whole earth - Commentators have been greatly puzzled to show in what sense Zion, or the temple, could be said to be the joy of the whole earth. If we take the earth here for the habitable globe, there is no sense in which it ever was the joy of the whole earth; but If we take הארץ כל col haarets , as signifying the whole of this land, (and it has no other meaning), the assertion is plain and easy to be understood, for the temple was considered the ornament and glory of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:3

God is known in her palaces for a refuge - All those who worship there in spirit and truth, find God for their refuge. But the words may be understood: God is known for the defense of her palaces; and with this view of the subject agree the three following verses. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:4

For, lo, the kings were assembled - Many of the neighboring potentates, at different times, envied the prosperity of the Jewish nation, and coveted the riches of the temple; but they had no power against it till the cup of Jewish transgression was full. In vain did they assemble - confederate, and invade the land. Saw it - reconnoitered the place; marvelled at its excellence and strength, for they were troubled - struck with fear; hasted away for fear of destruction, for fear took hold on... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:7

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish - Calmet thinks this may refer to the discomfiture of Cambyses, who came to destroy the land of Judea. "This is apparently," says he, "the same tempest which struck dismay into the land-forces of Cambyses, and wrecked his fleet which was on the coasts of the Mediterranean sea, opposite to his army near the port of Acco, or the Ptolemais; for Cambyses had his quarters at Ecbatana, at the foot of Mount Carmel; and his army was encamped in the valley of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:8

As we have heard, so have we seen - Our fathers have declared what mighty works thou didst in their time; and we have seen the same. God has often interposed and afforded us a most miraculous defense. So it was when they were invaded by the Assyrians, Syrians, Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians and the Greeks under Alexander. The city of the Lord of hosts - His hosts defended the city, and it was known to be the City of the great King. God will establish it for ever - This must refer... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:9

We have thought of thy loving-kindness - We went to thy temple to worship thee; we meditated on thy goodness; we waited for a display of it; and the panic that in the first instance struck us, was transferred to our enemies; and fear took hold upon them, they marvelled, were troubled, and hasted away. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1

Verse 1 1.Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised. The prophet, before proceeding to make mention of that special example of the favor of God towards them, to which I have adverted, teaches in general that the city of Jerusalem was happy and prosperous, because God had been graciously pleased to take upon him the charge of defending and preserving it. In this way he separates and distinguishes the Church of God from all the rest of the world; and when God selects from amongst the whole... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:2

Verse 2 2.Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion For the confirmation of the statement made in the preceding sentence, the prophet celebrates the excellencies for which mount Zion was at that time renowned; and in them was to be seen the glory of God, of which I have just now spoken. The beauty of its situation, which he mentions in the first place, was indeed natural; but by it he gives us to understand, that from the very commencement the agreeable appearance of... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:2

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