Psalm 48:1-49:20 ESV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 48:1

(1) To be praised.—See Psalms 18:3, Note. read more

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 48:1-14

The Subject of Meditation (A Communion Sermon) Psalms 48:9 This Psalm is a song of triumph, when Jerusalem was saved from some impending danger. The theme is that God is the safety of Zion, the impregnable city, made such by the loving care of God. I. Into the temple the joyful people surge to give vent to their feelings of gratitude and triumph. Where else can they go with such fitness but to the sanctuary which stands to them as the very heart of their religion? And what is more fitting than... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

Psalms 48:1-14THE situation seems the same as in Psalms 46:1-11, with which this psalm has many points of contact. In both we have the same triumph, the same proud affection for the holy city and sanctuary, the same confidence in God’s dwelling there, the same vivid picturing of the mustering of enemies and their rapid dispersion, the same swift movement of style in describing that overthrow, the same thought of the diffusion of God’s praise in the world as its consequence, the same closing... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 48:1-14

Psalms 48:0 The Judgment of the Nations and the Millennium 1. Jerusalem the city of the King (Psalms 48:1-3 ) 2. The confederated nations scattered (Psalms 48:4-7 ) 3. The millennium (Psalms 48:8-14 ) Jerusalem is now seen as the city of the great King. His glorious throne will there be established, and Mount Zion becomes the joy of the whole earth. Psalms 48:4-7 show what preceded the coming of the King. The nations had come against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:1-21 ), a mighty confederacy... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 48:1

48:1 [{a} A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah.] Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the {b} city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.(a) Some put this difference between a song and psalm, saying that it is called a song when there is no instrument but the voice, and the song of the psalm is when the instruments begin and the voice follows.(b) Even though God shows his wonders through all the world, yet he will be chiefly praised in his Church. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

Psalms 38:0 An appeal to God from chastisement because of iniquity (Psalms 38:1-4 ). The mental anguish is described in figures of physical disease, and yet it is not impossible that such disease may have been part of the chastisement (Psalms 38:5-8 ). The desertion of friends and the opposition of enemies also entered into it (Psalms 38:10-17 ). There are verses susceptible of an application to Christ, but others would prevent its application as a whole to him. Psalms 40:0 Messianic (compare... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 48:1

CONTENTS The prophet, in a beautiful strain, is here extolling mount Zion. It should seem to mean principally the Zion of Jesus, the gospel Zion. In this spiritual sense it is most lovely indeed. He speaks of her situation; God's relation to her; his love of her, and care of her; and what a terror Zion is, and ever will be to her enemies, while she becomes the present and everlasting joy of her friends. A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Psalms 48:1 The prophet very properly begins with... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:1

Psalm. St. Ambrose adds, "of David." It is written in an enigmatical style, like the book of Ecclesiastes, and is very obscure. But the drift is, to impress the captives with a contempt of worldly grandeur, which will end in death. The redemption of mankind and the resurrection of Christ are foretold, ver. 8, 16, &c. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:1-7

1-7 Jerusalem is the city of our God: none on earth render him due honour except the citizens of the spiritual Jerusalem. Happy the kingdom, the city, the family, the heart, in which God is great, in which he is all. There God is known. The clearer discoveries are made to us of the Lord and his greatness, the more it is expected that we should abound in his praises. The earth is, by sin, covered with deformity, therefore justly might that spot of ground, which was beautified with holiness, be... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Psalms 48:1-14

Zion as a Type of the Christian Church. A song and psalm for the sons of Korah, written by one of their number to set forth the privileges and blessings of God's dominion in His Church. v. 1. Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised, in setting forth His fame in psalms of thanksgiving, in the city of our God, where the Tabernacle and afterward the Temple stood, in the mountain of His holiness, where He dwells in the glory of His holiness. v. 2. Beautiful for situation, elevated for the... read more