Psalms 48:1

Great [is] the Lord,.... The same that in the foregoing psalm is said to be gone, up to heaven with a shout, to sit on the throne of his holiness, to reign over the Heathen, and to be King over all

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psalms 48:1-14.-Praise-song after deliverance.

Psalms 48 THE This Psalm was composed upon the occasion of some eminent deliverance vouchsafed by God to the city of Jerusalem from some potent enemy and dreadful danger; either that in Jehoshaphat’ s time, 2 Chronicles 20$, or that under Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18$, 19$; in both which times there were holy prophets, by some of whom this Psalm might be made. A Song and Psalm; of which see See Poole "", which hath the same title. The prophet describeth the glory and excellency of the church, , preserved from her potent enemies, for which God is glorified, ,10, and the faithful invited to take notice of its beauty and firmness, to transmit it to following generations, . In the city of our God; in Jerusalem, which he hath chosen for his dwelling-place. In the mountain of his holiness, i.e. in his holy mountain; either Zion, where the ark and tabernacle was; or rather Moriah, where the temple now was. Although both of them are supposed by some to be but one mountain, having two tops; and it is certain that both are frequently called by one name, to wit, Zion.

Psalms 48:1 « A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. » Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.A Psalm and Song for the sons of Korah] When and by whom compiled we certainly know not. If by David, probably it was upon occasion of the Philistines coming up to seek him, but were sent away back with shame and loss, 2 Samuel 5:7; 2 Samuel 5:9. If upon the slaughter of Sennacherib’ s army by an angel, Isaiah or some other prophet of those times (as there were many) might be the penman. It seemeth to be of the same time and occasion with Psalms 76:1-12 Ver. 1. Great is the Lord] Greater, Job 33:12, greatest of all, Psalms 95:3, greatness itself, Psalms 145:3. A degree he is above the superlative. And greatly to be praised] No mean praises can be meet for so great a majesty. It must be modus sine modo (Bern.). In the city of our God] i.e. In the Church; for others will not, cannot do it to divine acceptation. Galen (lib. 3, de usu part.), amazed at the wonderful frame of man’ s body, sang a hymn to the Maker thereof, but yet he lived and died a Pagan.

(1) To be praised.—See Psalms 18:3, Note.

PSALM XLVIII The ornaments and the privileges of the Church, 1-8. The duty of God's people, 9-14. NOTES ON PSALM XLVIII The title: A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. To which the Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic, and Arabic add, for the second day of the week; for which I believe it would be difficult to find a meaning. It is evidently of the same complexion with the two preceding, and refers to the Jews returned from captivity; and perhaps was sung at the dedication of the second temple, in order to return thanks to the Lord for the restoration of their political state, and the reestablishment of their worship. Verse 1. Great is the Lord] This verse should be joined to the last verse of the preceding Psalm, as it is a continuation of the same subject; and indeed in some of Kennicott's MSS. it is written as a part of the foregoing. That concluded with He is greatly exalted; this begins with Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; i.e., He should be praised according to his greatness; no common praise is suited to the nature and dignity of the Supreme God. In the city of our God] That is, in the temple; or in Jerusalem, where the temple was situated. The mountain of his holiness.] Mount Moriah, on which the temple was built. The ancient city of Jerusalem, which David took from the Jebusites, was on the south of Mount Zion, on which the temple was built, though it might be said to be more properly on Mount Moriah, which is one of the hills of which Mount Zion is composed. The temple therefore was to the north of the city, as the psalmist here states, Psalms 48:2: "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." But some think that it is the city that is said to be on the north, and Reland contends that the temple was on the south of the city.

1, 2. The theme of the Psalm: the greatness of Jehovah and the glory of His city.

Great is the Lord - That is, he is high and exalted; he is a Being of great power and glory. He is not weak and feeble, like the idols worshipped by other nations.

1-3. These verses declare the glory of God in Zion, and the glory of Zion in the whole earth, first, for her strength and beauty, but chiefly as the abode and city of God.