Psalm 48

1Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain. 2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King. 3God has shown himself in her citadels as a refuge. 4For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together. 5They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away. 6Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail. 7With the east wind, you break the ships of Tarshish. 8As we have heard, so we have seen, in the city of Yahweh of Armies, in the city of our God. God will establish it forever. Selah. 9We have thought about your loving kindness, God, in the middle of your temple. 10As is your name, God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness. 11Let Mount Zion be glad! Let the daughters of Judah rejoice because of your judgments. 12Walk about Zion, and go around her. Number its towers. 13Notice her bulwarks. Consider her palaces, that you may tell it to the next generation. 14For this God is our God forever and ever. He will be our guide even to death.

This psalm, as the two former, is a triumphant song; some think it was penned on occasion of Jehoshaphat's victory (2 Chr. 20), others of Sennacherib's defeat, when his army laid siege to Jerusalem in Hezekiah's time; but, for aught I know, it might be penned by David upon occasion of some eminent victory obtained in his time; yet not so calculated for that but that it might serve any other similar occasion in aftertimes, and be applicable also to the glories of the gospel church, of which Jerusalem was a type, especially when it shall come to be a church triumphant, the "heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22), "the Jerusalem which is above," Gal 4:26. Jerusalem is here praised, I. For its relation to God (Psa 48:1, Psa 48:2). II. For God's care of it (Psa 48:3). III. For the terror it strikes upon its enemies (Psa 48:4-7). IV. For the pleasure it gives to its friends, who delight to think, 1. Of what God has done, does, and will do for it (Psa 48:3). 2. Of the gracious discoveries he makes of himself in and for that holy city (Psa 48:9, Psa 48:10). 3. Of the effectual provision which is made for its safety (Psa 48:11-13). 4. Of the assurance we have of the perpetuity of God's covenant with the children of Zion (Psa 48:14). In singing this psalm we must be affected with the privilege we have as members of the gospel church, and must express and excite our sincere good-will to all its interests.

A song and psalm for the sons of Korah.

Cross-references: Heb 12:22 · Gal 4:26 · Ps 48:1 · Ps 48:2 · Ps 48:3 · Ps 48:4 · Ps 48:9 · Ps 48:10 · Ps 48:11 · Ps 48:14

Introduction