Psalms 48

The Prophet describeth the glory and blessedness of the Church under the figure of the city of Jerusalem, which was wonderfully protected by God against heavens potent enemies, according to his promise and former wonder, whereby God is glorified, and the Church comforted, with an exhortation to all the faithfull to take notice of and consider the beauty and stability of the Church for an everlasting remembrance.

1. A song, (or hymn) a Psalm: [As contrariwise you have it in the title of Psalm 30. A Psalm, a Song. The difference of these was, as some conjecture, that a Psalm, a Song, was to begin first with playing of the Instruments, the song following after; and a song, a Psalm, to begin with singing or voices, the instruments of music following. Nevertheless, many do hold it, to be one and the same thing] for the children of Korah. [See Psalm 42.on v.1.]

2. The LORD is great, and much to be praised: [Or laudable, praiseworthy; as 2 Sam.22.4. and Psalms 18:4. and 145.3.] in the city of our God, [Jerusalem; as also did Zion. Heb.12.22. Rev.14.1.] (upon) the hill of his holiness.

3. Beautiful for Situation, [soil, or country, tract. Some do understand this, as a description of the city in this sence. [Beautiful for situation, (the) glory and joy of all the earth; to wit, is this city: and so on the side of the North is the hill of Zion.] A joy of all the earth is the hill of Zion, [not onely of the land of Juda or Israel, in regard of the enjoying so many deliverances, but even of the whole world: for from thence the light and salvation was to go forth into all the world besides, and thereunto the Heathen or Gentiles were cheerfully to repair. Isa.2.v.2.3. Mich.4.1. Acts 1:8.] on the sides of the North: [where the Temple was built, Isa.14.13. comp. Ezek.40.2.] The City of the great King. [viz. Of God, as bel.v.9. and Mat.1.14. wherein God dwelleth, Zach.8.3.]

4. God is in her Palaces [i.e. great stately buildings, resembling might Towers and Castles or Cittadels, such as Carnal we use to put their trust and confidence in; but almost the people of God, God onely, (even in these very palaces) is acknowledged to be the most assured refuge and protection.] He is (there) known for a high retreat.

5. For, loe, the kings were gathered; [As fell out in the time of Josaphat.2. Chron.20. some do apply it to the history of Sanecrib.2.King.18.] they were marched through together.

6. (As) they saw it, so they wondered: [i.e. the more they looked on, the more they were, or stood amazed. Thus may this kind of speaking be compleated out of Exod.1.12. Hos.4.7. the letter Caph, or particle Caas (i.e. like as) is likewise left out thus in the Hebrew Text. Hos.11.2. Se there.] They were affrighted, they hasted away.

7. Shaking seized them there: pangs, as of a travelling (woman).

8. With an East wind breakest thou the ships of Tharsis. [The meaning is. Thou O LORD, hast so broken and discomfited all their power and pride, as thou canst easily break and better in pieces the great and lusty ships upon the Ocean, by East wind in a moment. Of Tharsis, See 1 King.10.on v.22.]

9. As we have heard, so we have seen in the City of the LORD of hosts: [See 1 Kings 18.onv.15.] in the city of our God: God shall establish her forever, [compare Gen.17.on verse 7.] Sela! [See Psalm 3.on verse 3.]

10. O God, we remember thy bounty; [Or we have in stillness considered, or meditated, waiting for thy Help.] in the midst of thy Temple. [Comp.2. Chron.20.v.5.6. etc.and 2 Kings 19.v.14,15. Etc.]

11. As thy Name is, O God, so is thy fame, to all the ends of the earth: [Even as thy Being and Majesty is infinite, so also is thy fame, renown and praise; or, thou dost shew and manifest thy self the very same, thou hast revealed thy self in thy word, by those works of thine, which are praised to etc.] thy right hand is full of righteousness. [thy power is abundantly sufficient to preserve thy people, and to subdue the enemies, according to thy righteousness which thou hast so often put in execution: no otherwise, then if one should pour out things with a full hand, shewing thereby that there is no want of it.]

12. Let the hill of Zion, [i.e. the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Gods people] be glad, let the daughters of Juda rejoice, [i.e. Other Cities and places with their inhabitants, they being as the daughters of Jerusalem, judgements sake. [which thou dost execute upon thine Enemies, for the protection of the people.]

13. Go round about Zion, and surround her: tell her Towers. [To see that there is nothing wanting or amiss, that the Enemy hath done no hurt; and consequently from the beauty and strength of the whole City, to consider of and celebrate for your posterity, the great love God bears unto her, and unto his whole Church.]

14. Set your heart upon [i.e. mark with attention] her fortresses: behold distinctly [or lift (up your eyes) etc. The Hebrew word is onely found here, and therefore variously translated, from it seems the name of the mountain, or (as others would have it) of the little hill of Pisga to be derived, Numb.21.20. and 23.14. Deut.3.17. and 34.1. In the Chaldee the same word doth signify. To part, divide, share, lay out in pieces] her palaces, that ye may relate it to the following generation. [Heb. The hindmost and last generation, from which words some do gather, the Prophet implied and intimated, that Jerusalem was not to continue always, but to be destroyed and laid wast; the Church of God remaining established notwithstanding, having been but typified by it. Comp.Mat24.1,2, &c.]

15. For this God is our God eternally and evermore: [See Gen.17.on v.7.] he shall conduct us [as a shepherd doth his flock, Psa.78.52,72. And 80.2.] unto the death. [i.e. all our life long.]