Psalms 48

Psalms 48:1-14

“ The City of Our God” Psalms 48:1-14 This psalm also probably dates from 2 Chronicles 20:20. Tekoa was only three hours’ march from Jerusalem and commanded an extensive view, so that Psalms 48:4-5 were literally true. The psalmist celebrates the beauty and glory of Zion, Psalms 48:1-3. The Church today is the City of the great King. Apart from God, the fairest palace is no refuge; but a cottage becomes a palace if God is known and loved there. Judah’ s recent deliverance is gratefully commemorated, Psalms 48:4-8. It is a sublime picture: the gathered array, the dismay, flight, and destruction of the foe. Then comes the call to loving thought on God’ s care and goodness, Psalms 48:9-14.

Notice those two sentences-“As we have heard, so we have seen,” Psalms 48:8; and, “As is thy name, so is thy praise,” Psalms 48:10. Whatever we have been told by our fathers about God, God is prepared to be and do for us; and our aim should be to praise Him worthily. Think of His love till your heart kindles to praise; and remember that this God is yours forever and ever. Let us surrender to Him the guidance of every step, until we pass through death into His immediate presence.

Zion the joy of the whole earth This Psalm was probably composed on the same occasion as the foregoing. But that was sung in the valley of Berachah and this on the return to Jerusalem and the temple (Psalms 48:9). Tekoa (2 Chronicles 20:20) was only three hours’ march from the city and commanded an extensive view, so that verses Psalms 48:4-5 were literally true. Let the reader turn to 2 Chronicles 20:27, which tells the occasion of this burst of jubilation. There is also a special connection between Psalms 48:7 and the circumstances described in 1 Kings 22:48; 2 Chronicles 20:37.

The divisions are easy: the dignity and beauty of Jerusalem, as the city of God (Psalms 48:1-3); the special instance of Divine deliverance is gratefully recorded (Psalms 48:4-8); glad thanksgivings (Psalms 48:9-11); and exhortations to commemorate God’s goodness to coming generations (Psalms 48:12-14).

Psalms 48:1-2. The city of our God Zion was the heart and center of the holy city which clustered around its northern slopes. The Church is the city of God now, in which He dwells, and is known for a refuge.

Psalms 48:3. God, a refuge The grandest palace without God is no refuge for the weary, hunted soul. But a hovel becomes a palace if God is known and loved there.

Psalms 48:5. They hasted away Notice the magnificent brevity of this verse. As if one glimpse of that city struck them with panic.

Psalms 48:7. Thou breakest the ships The destruction of the foe was as sudden and total as the sinking of a vessel struck by a hurricane.

Psalms 48:8. As we have heard Whatever God has done in former days, He is able and willing, if needs be, to do again.

Psalms 48:9. We have thought Let us cultivate the habit of holy musing on this sweet and boundless theme.

Psalms 48:13. Mark ye well! Consider God’s wonderful dealings with his people. Their choice, redemption, adoption, sanctification, eternal inheritance–each is a subject for marking well and pondering.

Psalms 48:14. Our God forever Let us replace the our by my and bind this text as a jewel on our heart.