Psalms 48:4-8

4-8. In this division is noted the destruction of the people’s enemies.

The kings were assembled Pointing to a confederate army and a war council of the chiefs. This does not suit the Assyrian army, in which one ruling spirit, Sennacherib, held absolute sway. 2 Chronicles 32:0. See notes on Psalms 46:0. The definite article, “the kings,” indicates a specific number, perhaps known to the writer. So also the verb נועדו , ( noa’doo,) were met, denotes an appointed meeting. It was a council to settle the plan of attacking Jerusalem, and here, evidently, the division and quarrel among themselves began, which on the morrow culminated in their overthrow.

They marvelled… troubled… hasted away The several steps leading to their ruin. They met in formal council, but broke up in confusion and fled in terror.

Fear took hold upon them They now saw they had committed themselves to an impossible enterprise, and being divided in counsel, and having no common bond but that of hatred to the Hebrew and love of plunder, mutual hate and jealousy soon predominated over all considerations of prudence and valour, and fear and disappointment soon rose to universal panic and frenzy. Meanwhile a supernatural dread of the God of Israel had seized upon them. To this must be added the alarm of the ambushments already noticed. 2 Chronicles 20:22.

Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish This figure occurs nowhere prior to Jehoshaphat, but aptly coincides with his reign; (1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37;) and corroborates the date we have assigned to the psalm.

“Ships of Tarshish” are ships built for the voyage to Tarshish, and hence proverbial for great and strong ships, and figuratively of “worldly powers” with formidable war preparations. See Isaiah 2:16; Isaiah 23:1. But where Tarshish was is not certain.