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Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

Psalms 48 - Introduction

XLVIII.

Jerusalem has been in great peril from some coalition either of neighbouring monarchs or of the tributary princes of one of the great world-powers, and has been delivered through some unexplained sudden panic. With this event the poet of this psalm is contemporary. So much is clear from Psalms 48:4 (see Notes); but on what precise event we are to fix is not so clear. There are resemblances to the deliverance of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:25), resemblances to the fate of Sennacherib’s host (2 Kings 19), resemblances to other signal changes of fortune in later times of Israel’s history.

But if we can enter into the spirit of blended piety and patriotism which makes the poem so expressive of the whole better feeling of the best times of the nation, the recovery of the precise date of its production is immaterial.
The rhythm is remarkable. In no poem is the rapid lyric movement more striking.

Title. See Psalms 41

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See also Psalms 48 - Introduction in other biblical comments:

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    The title of the psalm is, “A song and psalm for the sons of Korah.” The “two” appellations, “song” and “psalm,” would seem to imply that it was intended to “combine” what was implied in both these wo...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    BOOK II. PSS. XLII.- LXXII. Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, _i.e._ they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Y...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    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...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:1 seat (a-27) Or 'in the company.'...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 48 A SONG [AND] PSALM FOR THE SONS OF KORAH. This psalm is entitled a "song psalm", a psalm to be sung vocally; or "a song and psalm" to be sung both vocally and instrumentally;...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023._ The author of this Psalm is not known, nor the particular time when it was composed. Most commentators infer from its contents, that it was made on the occasion of some provid...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    * The glories of the church of Christ....

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    HEADING. ‘A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.' For the sons of Korah see introduction to Part 2. Many of the temple singers were sons of Korah. This psalm continues the theme of the Great King. It...

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