Psalms 48:1-13

Psalms 48:1. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

It was so with the literal Jerusalem; and it is so now with the Church of Christ, of which «the city of the great King» was a type. God still dwelleth among men; his Spirit abides with his people; and his Church stands securely upon the rock of his eternal purposes, evermore the same.

Psalms 48:4. For, lo, the kings were assembled,

The adversaries, who boasted that they would destroy Jerusalem: «the kings were assembled,»

Psalms 48:4. They passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou brakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.

The adversaries of Zion looked up at the city set on that high hill, and they despaired of being able to capture it; and, in like manner, those who attack the truth as it is in Jesus if they did but know how well it is garrisoned by the omnipotence of Jehovah, they also would faint with fear, and give up the assault. If they do not, the Lord can break them in pieces as he broke the ships of Tarshish with his strong east wind.

Psalms 48:8. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah. We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness. Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following. For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

According to Alexander and Bonar, this last clause should be read, «He will be our Guide at death and over death.» He will lead us across the Jordan, and be our God and our Guide in the land that floweth with milk and honey, whither we are bound; so, glory be unto the God of Abraham,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for ever and ever! Amen.

This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 114:1. and 48.