48 1 A notable deliverance of Jerusalem from the hands of many kings is mentioned, for the which thanks are given to God, and the state of that city is praised, that hath God so presently at all times ready to defend them. This Psalm seemeth to be made in the time of Ahaz, Jehoshaphat, Asa, or Hezekiah: for in their times chiefly was the city by foreign princes assaulted.
[a]A song or Psalm committed to the sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the [b]City of our God, even upon his holy Mountain.
2 Mount Zion, lying Northward, is fair in situation: it is the [c]joy of the whole earth, and the City of the great king.
3 In the palaces thereof God is known for a [d]refuge.
4 For lo, the kings were [e]gathered, and went together.
5 When they saw [f]it, they marveled: they were astonied, and suddenly driven back.
6 Fear came there upon them, and sorrow, as upon a woman in travail.
7 As with an East wind thou breakest the ships [g]of Tarshish, so were they destroyed.
8 As we have [h]heard, so have we seen in the City of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah.
9 We wait for thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy Temple.
10 O God, according to thy Name, so is thy praise unto the [i]world’s end: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
11 Let [j]mount Zion rejoice, and the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.
12 [k]Compass about Zion, and go round about it, and tell the towers thereof.
13 Mark well the wall thereof: behold her towers, that ye may tell your posterity.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever, he shall be our guide unto the death.
Footnotes
- Psalm 48:1 Some put this difference between a song and Psalm, saying that it is called a song, when there is no instrument, but the voice: and the Psalm, the contrary. The song of the Psalm is when the instruments begin, and the voice followeth. The Psalm of the song the contrary.
- Psalm 48:1 Albeit God shows his wonders through all the world, yet he will be chiefly praised in his Church.
- Psalm 48:2 Because the word of salvation came thence to all them that should believe.
- Psalm 48:3 Except God were the defense thereof, neither situation nor munition could prevail.
- Psalm 48:4 They conspired and went against God’s people.
- Psalm 48:5 The enemies were afraid at the sight of the City.
- Psalm 48:7 That is, of Cilicia, or of the sea called Mediterranean.
- Psalm 48:8 To wit, of our fathers: so have we proved: or God hath performed his promise.
- Psalm 48:10 In all places where thy Name shall be heard of, men shall praise thee, when they hear of thy marvelous works.
- Psalm 48:11 Let Jerusalem and the cities of Judea rejoice, for thy just judgments against thine enemies.
- Psalm 48:12 For in this outward defense and strength God’s blessings did also appear: but the chief is to be referred to God’s favor and secret defense, who never leaveth his.