In the crisis of her uttermost peril Jehovah has proved Himself the protector of Zion (Psalms 48:1-8): and the citizens of the rescued city are bidden to deepen their sense of His mercy by reflecting on the marvellousness of the deliverance vouchsafed to them (Psalms 48:9-14). The Ps. is the compani... [ Continue Reading ]
_greatly to be praised_ The R.V. returns to Coverdale's rendering (P.B.V.), highly to be praised. The same emphatic adverb occurs in each of the two preceding Pss. God has proved Himself to be an _exceedingly_present help in trouble (Psalms 46:1); by His triumph over the nations He is _exceedingly_e... [ Continue Reading ]
The theme of the Psalm: the greatness of Jehovah and the glory of His city.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beautiful for situation_ Rather, as R.V., beautiful in elevation. Cp. Psalms 50:2. "Its elevation," writes Dean Stanley, "is remarkable; occasioned not from its being on the summit of one of the numerous hills of Judaea, like most of the towns and villages, but because it is on the edge of one of t... [ Continue Reading ]
More exactly: God hath made himself known in her palaces for a high fortress. This verse is commonly connected with Psalms 48:1. But Psalms 48:1 describe the relation of Zion to Jehovah generally, while Psalms 48:3 first alludes to the recent deliverance, which is further described in Psalms 48:4... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's revelation of Himself as Zion's protector in the recent discomfiture of her enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves (R.V.): Sennacherib's vassal kings (Isaiah 10:8) met at their rendezvous (cp. Psalms 2:2): they passed over together; uniting their forces they crossed the frontier and entered the land of Judah. Cp. Isaiah 8:7-8; Isaiah 28:15. The rendering _passed away_(R.V.... [ Continue Reading ]
They saw; forthwith they were amazed: They were dismayed, they made haste to flee. Caesar's boast, _Veni, vidi, vici_, was reversed. They came to Zion, they saw it, they were smitten with panic terror. Cp. Isaiah 33:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
Trembling took hold of them there: Pangs, as of a woman in travail. Cp. Exodus 15:14-15; and for the phrase though in a different connexion, Isaiah 33:14, "Trembling hath taken hold of the godless.... [ Continue Reading ]
With an east wind Thou shatterest ships of Tarshish. As he gazes upon the wreck of the Assyrian enterprise, the poet apostrophises God with mingled awe and thankfulness. The language is plainly metaphorical. God's might is irresistible. He shatters the stately ships of Tarshish with a sudden storm... [ Continue Reading ]
Experience has confirmed what tradition (cp. Psalms 44:1) related of God's marvellous works on behalf of His people, and justifies the confidence that He will never cease to guard the city of His choice. Cp. Psalms 87:5; Isaiah 62:7. But all such anticipations are conditional: Israel's unfaithfulnes... [ Continue Reading ]
We have thought on thy lovingkindness, O God, realised it to ourselves as manifested in this new deliverance, while we offered our thanksgivings in the Temple courts; for there, in the immediate presence of God, men learn the true significance of events (Psalms 73:17). It suits the context less well... [ Continue Reading ]
The lessons of deliverance.... [ Continue Reading ]
_According to thy name_ As is thy name (R.V.). God's revelation of His power and lovingkindness receives worldwide celebration. Cp. Isaiah 33:13. To other nations beside Judah the destruction of the great tyrant's army was a cause for rejoicing. Cp. Psalms 46:8 ff.; Nahum 3:19. _thy right hand is f... [ Continue Reading ]
The R.V. assimilates the rendering to that of Psalms 97:8, where the same words recur: Let mount Zion be glad, Let the daughters of Judah rejoice. The _daughters of Judah_are not the maidens of Judah, though the fact that women were wont to celebrate victories with dance and song may have suggest... [ Continue Reading ]
_bulwarks_ The outer wall or rampart. _consider_ Or, as R.V. marg., _traverse_. The word occurs here only, and is of doubtful meaning. But the rendering _consider_suits the context better. In either case the object is to convince themselves of the safety of the city. P.B.V. _set up_is derived from... [ Continue Reading ]
_For this God_&c. For such is God [Jehovah] our God for ever and ever. Jehovah is a God who has proved Himself the defender of His city and people, and will continue to be the same for ever. _he will be our guide even unto death_ Beautiful as is the thought, _He_(emphatic He and no other) _will be o... [ Continue Reading ]