Psalms 48:1-11

1 (47-1) <A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week.> (47-2) Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

2 (47-3) With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.

3 (47-4) In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

4 (47-5) For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.

5 (47-6) So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:

6 (47-7) Trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.

7 (47-8) With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.

8 (47-9) As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.

9 (47-10) We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

10 (47-11) According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.

11 (47-12) Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

Psalms 48:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 48

\\<>\\. This psalm is entitled a "song psalm", a psalm to be sung vocally; or "a song and psalm" to be sung both vocally and instrumentally; and is one of the spiritual songs the apostle speaks of, Eph 5:19; It was occasioned, as some think, by David's spoiling the Philistines, 2Sa 5:17-21; or, as others, by the deliverance of the people from the Moabites and Ammonites in the times of Jehoshaphat, 2Ch 20:27,28; or, as others, by the deliverance of the inhabitants of Jerusalem from Sennacherib in the times of Hezekiah, 2Ki 19:34,35; though as Kimchi, a celebrated Jewish commentator, owns, it belongs to the times of the Messiah, as the other preceding psalms; and treats of his greatness, and of the praise and glory due to him, and gives large encomiums of his church.