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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:14

For this God ( i.e. the God who has now delivered us) is our God for ever and ever; i.e. he will always remain faithful to us, as we will to him. He will be our Guide even unto death . Dr. Kay translates "even over death," and understands that God's loving protection is promised to the faithful even in the land beyond the grave. But he stands alone in this interpretation. Host moderns question whether the words על־מוּת are any part of the psalm, and, comparing them with the ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48

The title of the psalm is, “A song and psalm for the sons of Korah.” The “two” appellations, “song” and “psalm,” would seem to imply that it was intended to “combine” what was implied in both these words; that is, that it embraced what was usually understood by the word “psalm,” and that it was intended also specifically to be “sung.” Compare the notes at the titles to Psalms 3:1-8 (notes); 18 (notes); 30 (notes): In Psalms 30:1-12 the two are combined as they are here. On the phrase “For the... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:4

For, lo, the kings were assembled - There is evidently allusion here to some fact that had occurred; some gathering together of kings and their armies, with a view to besiege or attack Jerusalem. The kings referred to, if the allusion here is, as is supposed, to the time of Jehoshaphat, were the kings of Ammon and of Moab, and of Mount Seir, and perhaps others, not particularly mentioned, who came up against Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Chronicles 20:10.They passed by together - That is,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:5

They saw it - That is, they looked on it; they contemplated it; they were struck with its beauty and strength, and fled.And so they marveled - It surpassed their expectations of its strength, and they saw with wonder that any attempt to conquer it was hopeless.They were troubled - They were filled with anxiety and confusion. They even began to have apprehensions about their own safety. They saw that their preparations had been made in vain, and that all hopes of success must be abandoned.And... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:6

Fear took hold upon them there - Trembling seized them; they were filled with sudden consternation. That is, as soon as they saw the city, or had a distinct view of it, they became alarmed.And pain - Distress; anguish. The distress arising from disappointed hopes, and perhaps from the apprehension of their own safety. They were filled with dismay.As of a woman in travail - This comparison is often used in the Scriptures to denote the severest kind of pain. Compare Jeremiah 4:31; Jeremiah 6:24;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:7

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish - On the ships of Tarshish, see the notes on Isaiah 2:16. The allusion to these ships here may have been to illustrate the power of God; the ease with which he destroys that which man has made. The ships so strong - the ships made to navigate distant seas, and to encounter waves and storms - are broken to pieces with infinite ease when God causes the wind to sweep over the ocean. With so much ease God overthrows the most mighty armies, and scatters them. His... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 48:8

As we have heard, so have we seen - That is, What has been told us, or handed down by tradition, in regard to the strength and safety of the city - what our fathers have told us respecting its sacredness and its being under the protection of God - we have found to be true. It has been shown that God is its protector; that he dwells in the midst of it; that it is safe from the assaults of man; that it is permanent and abiding. All that had ever been said of the city in this respect had been... read more

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