PSALM XLVIII _The ornaments and the privileges of the Church_, 1-8. _The duty of God's people_, 9-14. NOTES ON PSALM XLVIII The _title_: _A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah_. To which the _Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic_, and _Arabic_ add, _for the second_ _day of the week_; for which I beli... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:2. _THE JOY OF THE WHOLE EARTH_] Commentators have been greatly puzzled to show in what sense Zion, or the temple, could be said to be the _joy of the whole earth_. If we take the earth here for the _habitable_ globe, there is no sense in which it ever was the joy of the whole earth;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:3. _GOD IS KNOWN IN HER PALACES FOR A REFUGE._] All those who worship there in spirit and truth, find God for their refuge. But the words may be understood: God is known for the defence of her palaces; and with this view of the subject agree _the three_ following verses.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:4. _FOR, LO, THE KINGS WERE ASSEMBLED_] Many of the neighbouring potentates, at different times, envied the prosperity of the Jewish nation, and coveted the riches of the temple; but they had no power against it till the cup of Jewish transgression was full. In vain did they _assembl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:7. _THOU BREAKEST THE SHIPS OF TARSHISH_] _Calmet_ thinks this may refer to the discomfiture of _Cambyses_, who came to destroy the land of Judea. "This is apparently," says he, "the same _tempest_ which struck dismay into the land-forces of Cambyses, and wrecked his fleet which was... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:8. _AS WE HAVE HEARD, SO HAVE WE SEEN_] Our fathers have declared what mighty works thou didst in their time; and we have seen the same. God has often interposed and afforded us a most miraculous defence. So it was when they were invaded by the Assyrians, Syrians, Egyptians, Babyloni... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:9. _WE HAVE THOUGHT OF THY LOVING-KINDNESS_] We went to thy temple to worship thee; we meditated on thy goodness; we waited for a display of it; and the panic that in the first instance struck _us_, was transferred to our _enemies_; and _fear took hold upon_ _them, they marvelled, we... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:10. _ACCORDING TO THY NAME_] As far as thou art known, so far art thou praised; and where thou art known, thou _wilt_ have praise to the end of the earth. And why? "Thy right hand is full of righteousness." Thou art continually dispensing thy blessings to the children of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:11. _LET MOUNT ZION REJOICE_] The temple is restored in majesty, which was threatened with total destruction; it is again repaired. _LET THE DAUGHTERS OF JUDAH BE GLAD_] That thou hast turned her captivity, and poured out thy judgments upon her oppressors.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:12. _WALK ABOUT ZION_] Consider the beauty and magnificence of the temple, count the towers by which it is fortified.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:13. _MARK YE WELL HER BULWARKS_] See the _redoubts_ by which she is defended. _CONSIDER HER PALACES_] See her _courts, chambers, altars_, c., c. make an exact register of the whole, that ye may have to tell to your children how Jerusalem was built in troublesome times how God restor... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 48:14. _FOR THIS GOD_] Who did all these wonderful things, - Is _OUR GOD_] He is our portion, and he has taken us for his people. _HE WILL BE OUR GUIDE_] Through all the snares and difficulties of life, - EVEN _UNTO DEATH_] He will never leave us; and we, by his grace, will never aba... [ Continue Reading ]