Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 48

Great. David begins with a lofty ascription of praise to Jehovah, who has shown Himself a deliverer from great danger (vs. 4–8). The city. Jerusalem (see Ps. 46:4; 48:8). The mountain. Mt. Zion (see Ps. 2:6; 68:16; see on 48:2).

Situation. Rather, “height.” Jerusalem’s elevation above the surrounding country is perhaps the most striking feature of its topography. The city is on one of the highest ridges in the country. Its elevation probably made invaders afraid to attack it (see vs. 4, 5). Joy of the whole earth. A poet’s hyperbolic expression of his patriotic regard for the capital of his nation (see Ps. 50:2; Lam. 2:15).

Sides of the north. The exact meaning of this expression is not entirely clear, though the following explanation appears reasonable. Originally Mt. Zion referred only to the section of the city captured from the Jebusites (2 Chron 5:2; cf. 2 Sam. 5:7). Mt. Moriah lay to the north of Zion hill, and it was on this northern hill that the Temple and the palace of Solomon were later erected (2 Chron. 3:1; cf. 1 Kings 8:1). Geographically the two eminences of Zion and Moriah form a single ridge. After the building of the Temple the entire ridge became known as Zion (see Isa. 8:18; Joel 3:17). Because of the presence of the sanctuary and of the palace on the northern part of the ridge from the time of Solomon, the northern section became the most important district of the city. Hence by the expression “sides of the north” the psalmist may have figuratively attempted to represent the seat of civil and religious government and specifically the dwelling place of God, as the context of the psalm indicates. This interpretation sheds light also on Isa. 14:13, where Lucifer is represented as aspiring to sit “in the sides of the north.” To sit in such a position meant to share in God’s counsels and to enter into the divine purposes. This was precisely Lucifer’s ambition (see PP 37). Since David was the author of Ps. 48 (see Introduction to Ps. 48), any prominence he have gave to the northern eminence of Moriah was in prophetic anticipation, or else he composed the psalm after the detailed plans for the Temple, including the determination of the site, had been completed (2 Chron. 3:1). City of the great King. See on Ps. 46:4. Jesus quotes this phrase as an appellative of Jerusalem (Matt. 5:35).

Were assembled. Verses 4–6 present a graphic description of the advance and sudden destruction of an enemy army. The language is highly compressed. The paucity of connectives in vs. 4 and 5 increases the force of the description (see on Ps. 46:6).

Hasted away. The enemy looked at the impregnable city, realized that they could not take it, saw that their own safety was in jeopardy, and fled precipitately.

In travail. This simile, denoting the severest of pain, is frequent in the OT (see Jer. 4:31; 6:24; Micah 4:9, 10).

Ships of Tarshish. A second comparison to show God’s power as revealed in the confusion and dispersal of the enemy. Tarshish is usually identified with the classical Tartessus in southern Spain, north of Cadiz, though other places also may be meant. “Ships of Tarshish,” formerly held to be ships able to sail to Tartessus, are now held to be “refinery ships” (see on 1 Kings 10:22). As a storm wrecked these vessels, so God swept the enemy aside.

As we have heard. Our fathers have told us of God’s wonderful deliverances of the past. Now we have seen with our own eyes. Lord of hosts. See on Ps. 24:10. The city of our God. See on v. 1; cf. Ps. 46:4. God will establish. Present deliverance is a pledge of future triumph. For ever. Compare PK 46, 564; DA 577. Selah. See p. 629.

We have thought. Literally, “we have compared.” Lovingkindness. Heb. chesed, “divine love” (see on Ps. 36:7). Thy temple. See on Ps. 5:7. Frequenting the house of God tends to direct our thoughts to God.

Thy name. As God’s name is known to the ends of the earth, so far should His praise extend.

Mount Zion. See on v. 2. The daughters of Judah. Probably here used figuratively of the cities of Judah (see Joshua 15:45).

Go round about her. For the purpose of examining and admiring the city God had thus preserved from the enemy through a marvelous demonstration of His power. Tell. Or, “count.” “Tell” is still used in this sense in such phrases as “to tell money,” “to tell ballots” (seePs. 22:17; 147:4).

Mark ye. Meaning, literally, “set your heart to,” that is, “observe carefully.” Tell. Give an account, as evidence of God’s right to universal sovereignty. David, justly proud of Jerusalem, traces all her glory to God, her Deliverer.

This God. The God who has taken up His abode in the city and has defended it against the enemy. Unto death. God will be our guide all through life; He will accompany us to the very end. If the Christian has this assurance, he need have no fear. The Shepherd will lead His flock on into eternity (see Ps. 23:6). There is some question as to whether the Hebrew phrase ‘al–muth is correctly rendered “unto death.” The word may be a musical term (cf. Muth-labben, Ps. 9, superscription; see pp. 628, 651). The LXX reads, “forever.”