Psalms 48:7. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish, &c. Thou didst no less violently and suddenly destroy these raging enemies of Jerusalem, than sometimes thou destroyest the ships at sea with a fierce and vehement wind, such as the eastern winds were in those parts. read more
Psalms 48:8-9. As we have heard, so have we seen The predictions of the prophets have been verified by the events. Or, we have had late and fresh experience of such wonderful works of God, as before we only heard of by the report of our fathers. God will establish it for ever God will defend her in all succeeding ages. And so God would have done, if Jerusalem had not forsaken him, and forfeited his protection. We have thought of thy loving-kindness It hath been the matter of our serious... read more
Psalms 48:10. According to thy name, so is thy praise Thou art acknowledged, and evidently proved, to be such a one as thou hast affirmed thyself to be in thy word, God Almighty, or All-sufficient, the Lord of hosts, the King of thy church and people, a strong tower to all that trust in thee; and whatever else thou art said to be in Scripture. None of thy names are empty titles, but all of them are fully answered by honourable and praiseworthy works. Thy right hand is full of... read more
Psalms 48:11 . Let mount Zion rejoice That is, Jerusalem; let the daughters of Judah The other lesser cities, towns, and villages; be glad, because of thy judgments Upon thy and their enemies. Let the mother city give an example of joy and thankfulness to all the smaller places, and to the whole kingdom, and let them unanimously join together, with the greatest gladness, to express how sensible they are of thy power and goodness in the wonderful deliverance granted them. Just so, “the... read more
Psalms 48:12-13. Walk about Zion, &c. He speaks probably to the people of the city and kingdom, who had been eye-witnesses of the glorious work God had wrought for their deliverance. Bishop Patrick thus paraphrases the words: “Make a solemn procession, and go round about the city, blessing and praising God, with thankful hearts, who hath preserved you from being begirt by the enemy. Tell all the towers as you go along, and see if there be so much as one wanting, or the least hurt done... read more
Psalms 48:14. This God, &c. Who hath done this great work for us; is our God Who alone can protect us, and will be our defender, if we depend upon him, for ever and ever. He will be our guide even unto death While we have a being. He will not content himself with having delivered and preserved us once; but will be our conductor, and will exercise a most tender care over us, such as a shepherd doth over his sheep, all the days of our life. Birth and life, and the several ages of life... read more
Psalm 46-48 When God saved JerusalemConfident in tone and bold in expression, these three psalms express praise to God for delivering Jerusalem from an enemy invasion. One example of such a deliverance was on the occasion of Assyria’s invasion of Judah during the reign of Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:9-19:37).No matter what troubles he meets, whether from earthquakes, floods or wars, the person who trusts in God is not overcome by them (46:1-3). He has an inner calmness, likened to a cool refreshing... read more
Title. A Song. Hebrew. Shir . See App-65 . Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. See App-65 . for the sons of Korah . See App-63 . The fifth of nine so ascribed; and the last of the four Psalms celebrating the deliverance of Zion and Hezekiah (44, 46-48). the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . the city: i.e. Zion, recently delivered from Sennacherib. God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . the mountain of His holiness , or of His Sanctuary. Genitive of Character. read more
situation = elevation. earth: or land. mount Zion. Immediately south of Moriah. See App-68 . the sides of the north: i.e. with Moriah and the Temple immediately on the north side. The city of the great King = [is] Jerusalem as a whole. Note the three points of view: (1) the elevated mount; (2) the south side of Moriah; (3) Jerusalem proper. Compare Matthew 5:35 . read more
Get a Bible verse delivered to your inbox every day!
Read on Mobile
Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 48:4-6
Psalms 48:4-6. For lo, the kings were assembled The neighbouring princes confederate against Jerusalem: see the contents. They passed by In their march toward Jerusalem. They advanced, and marched on, not doubting but they should presently make themselves masters of the city. Or, they passed away together Departed without the success which they desired and expected. They saw it They only looked upon it, but did not enter it, nor shoot an arrow there, nor cast a bank against it, as... read more