psalm-48:1-5,-psalm-48:12-14

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 Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:3

Verse 3 3.God in her palaces is known for a defense Here the sacred poet again brings forward, for the purpose of setting forth the dignity of the city of Jerusalem, the protection which God afforded it; as we have seen in Psalms 46:5, “God is in the midst of her: she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.” He expressly makes mention of palaces for the sake of contrast — to teach the Jews, that although the holy city was fortified by strong towers, and had within it... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:4

Verse 4 4For, behold! the kings assembled Here that special deliverance of which I have spoken is touched upon. The prophet relates how, when the kings were assembled together to destroy Jerusalem, their efforts passed away without producing any effect, even as clouds in the atmosphere vanish away; yea, he tells us, that by a simple look at the city, they were defeated and undone, and that not after an ordinary manner, but like a woman who, when the hour of child-birth has come upon her, finds... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:2

Group of Brands