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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 48:8-14

We have here the good use and improvement which the people of God are taught to make of his late glorious and gracious appearances for them against their enemies, that they might work for their good. I. Let our faith in the word of God be hereby confirmed. If we compare what God has done with what he has spoken, we shall find that, as we have heard, so have we seen (Ps. 48:8), and what we have seen obliges us to believe what we have heard. 1. ?As we have heard done in former providences, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:9

We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God ,.... Jarchi interprets it, "we have waited for thy lovingkindness"; to see thy salvation; and some, as Ben Melech observes, explain it of hope and expectation; as if the sense was, "we have hoped for thy lovingkindness"; so the Syriac version renders it, and the word used has the signification of tarrying, 1 Samuel 14:9 . God has his set time to favour his Zion, and till that time comes it is right in them to be hoping, expecting, and waiting... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:9

We have thought of thy loving-kindness - We went to thy temple to worship thee; we meditated on thy goodness; we waited for a display of it; and the panic that in the first instance struck us, was transferred to our enemies; and fear took hold upon them, they marvelled, were troubled, and hasted away. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 48:9

Verse 9 9O God! we have waited for thy mercy This verse teaches us that the faithful were preserved by the power of God; for, when all things were in a state of the greatest confusion, they continued tranquil and patient until God at length, having pity upon them, brought them help. The Hebrew word, דמם,damam, which we have rendered to wait, properly signifies to be silent, and is here used to denote tranquillity of mind. From this we conclude, that the people of God were so harassed with... 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 48:9

We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. Jehoshaphat, on his return to Jerusalem from the scene of his adversaries' slaughter, held a thanksgiving service in the temple, "with psalteries, and harps, and trumpets," because the Lord had made the people to rejoice over their enemies ( 2 Chronicles 20:27 , 2 Chronicles 20:28 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 48:9

God's loving-kindness. "We have thought of thy loving-kindness." Thought is quick. A lightning-flash of thought, a momentary recollection of God, may give guidance to take the right step, courage to speak the right word, strength to withstand sudden temptation, comfort when we are ready to give up all as lost. But this swift inspiration, sudden illumination, is not the kind of thought of which this text speaks. It is calm meditation, devout; leisurely contemplation. Memory spreads her... read more

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