Psalm 48:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 48:1-7

The psalmist is designing to praise Jerusalem and to set forth the grandeur of that city; but he begins with the praises of God and his greatness (Ps. 48:1), and ends with the praises of God and his goodness, Ps. 48:14. For, whatever is the subject of our praises, God must be both the Alpha and Omega of them. And, particularly, whatever is said to the honour of the church must redound to the honour of the church's God. What is here said to the honour of Jerusalem is, I. That the King of heaven... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:5

They saw it ,.... Either the city or the power of God, as Aben Ezra; or, as Jarchi, God himself going forth to fight against the nations. This refers to the power Christ will take to himself, and show forth, by reigning in his church, and protecting it, which will not only be visible to the saints, but to the nations of the world; and to the brightness of Christ's coming in his spiritual reign, with the lustre of which antichrist will be destroyed, Revelation 11:17 ; and to the glorious... 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 48:5

They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. The sight of the city, with its walls and towers ( Psalms 48:12 , Psalms 48:13 ), was enough for them—they recognized that the place was too strong to be attacked with any prospect of success; "marvelled," or "were amazed" (Cheyne), at its strength, and, being troubled in mind, hasted away. The unconnected verbs remind the commentators of Caesar's famous despatch, "Vent, vidi, vici." 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

Joseph Benson

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 48:1-14

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

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