Psalms 48

Psalms 48THEME: Messiah’s final victory upon the earthThis is the last of the group of three millennial psalms. It celebrates the final and complete victory of the Messiah.

Psalms 48:1

Once again, I would like to give Dr. Gaebelein’s translation. “Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is the Mount Zion, the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God in her palaces hath made Himself known as a high tower” (The Book of Psalms, p. 208). When it says Mount Zion, it means Mount Zion; and when it talks about the city of God in the holy mountain, it refers to Jerusalem. Note the mention of “the sides of the north.” This is an interesting expression. It probably speaks of a way of ascent and descent to this earth. There is a remarkable prophecy in Isaiah which mentions Satan in connection with “the sides of the north”: “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isa_14:13-14). The “sides of the north” is apparently the route. Satan actually hoped to overthrow God! This now is the conflict which is the last great battle that will take place on the earth:

Psalms 48:4

Notice Dr. Gaebelein’s translation through verse Psa_48:7: “For lo! the kings were gathered, they passed by together. They saw it and were amazed; they were terror stricken, they started to flee, trembling came upon them there, pains as a woman in travail. With the East wind Thou hast broken the ships of Tarshish” (The Book of Psalms, p. 209). I believe it describes the time after the thousand years of peace when the devil is released for a season: “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Rev_20:7-9).

Psalms 48:8

The people have heard and read all about this from their prophets, and now they are seeing the literal accomplishment of it all. It is the promised deliverance that down through the centuries God has assured them was coming. Finally it is realized.

Psalms 48:9

In their millennial temple they will worship Him and meditate upon His lovingkindness to them. This psalm concludes with a great hallelujah chorus.

Psalms 48:11

With great joy they will walk about Jerusalem, noticing every part of it, and praise Him who is their God and guide of their lives. What praise this will be!