Psalm 48

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes. read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1-14

XLVIII. A Psalm which Describes the Impression made on a Pilgrim by his Visit to Zion. Psalms 48:1 f. Praise of Zion.— sides of the north is hard to comprehend. It has been explained as contrasting Zion, the true mountain of the North, with the Oriental Olympus ( Isaiah 14:13). The text, however, does not even hint at any such contrast. Mount Zion did indeed occupy the NE. corner of Jerusalem, but what of that? It has been suggested that the pilgrim came from the extreme S. of Egypt. But... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48

PSALM 48 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed upon the occasion of some eminent deliverance vouchsafed by God to the city of Jerusalem from some potent enemy and dreadful danger; either that in Jehoshaphat’s time, 2 Chronicles 20:0, or that under Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:0; 2 Kings 19:0; in both which times there were holy prophets, by some of whom this Psalm might be made. A Song and Psalm; of which see See Poole "Psalms 30:1", which hath the same title. The prophet describeth the glory and... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:1

In the city of our God; in Jerusalem, which he hath chosen for his dwelling-place. In the mountain of his holiness, i.e. in his holy mountain; either Zion, where the ark and tabernacle was; or rather Moriah, where the temple now was. Although both of them are supposed by some to be but one mountain, having two tops; and it is certain that both are frequently called by one name, to wit, Zion. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:2

The joy of the whole earth: Jerusalem may be so called here, as it is also Lamentations 2:15, not actually, as if all people did rejoice in it, or for it; but, 1. Fundamentally or causally, because here was very great cause or ground or rejoicing for the Gentile world, if they had understood themselves, or their true interest; because here God was graciously present and ready to hear and answer the just desires and prayers, not only of the Israelites, but of any stranger, of what nation soever,... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:3

God is known to his people by sensible and long experience, and to all neighbouring nations by their own observation. In her palaces, i. e in the habitations, or to the inhabitants of that city. Possibly he may here point at the king’s palace and the temple, which was the palace of the King of heaven; which two palaces God did in a singular manner protect, and by protecting them he protected the whole city and people. For a refuge; under whose shadow we are more safe and secure, than other... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:4

Either those kings confederate against Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20:0; or the Assyrian princes, whom they vain-gloriously called kings, Isaiah 10:8. They passed by, in their march towards Jerusalem. Or, they passed away, i.e. departed without the success which they desired and confidently expected. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:5

They saw it; they did only look upon it, but not come into it, nor shoot an arrow there, —nor cast a bank against it, as is said upon this or the like occasion, 2 Kings 19:32. So they marvelled, not so much at the structure or strength of the city, as at the wonderful works wrought by God on their behalf. They were troubled and hasted away: see 2 Kings 19:35. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:6

Partly at the tidings of Tirhakah’s coming against them, 2 Kings 19:9, and partly for that terrible slaughter of their army there, 2 Kings 19:35. read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:7

This is not reported as a matter of fact, for we read of no ships in those expeditions to which this Psalm relates, nor did any ships come near Jerusalem, because that was at a great distance from the sea, and from any navigable river running into the sea; but only added by way of illustration or allusion. The sense is, Thou didst no less violently and suddenly destroy these proud and raging enemies of Jerusalem, than sometimes thou destroyest the ships at sea with a fierce and vehement wind,... read more

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1-14

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:1

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:2

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:3

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:4

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:5

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:6

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Psalms 48:7

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