Psalm 48:3 Komentář

This psalm, as the two former, is a triumphant song; some think it was penned on occasion of Jehoshaphat's victory (2 Chr. 20), others of Sennacherib's defeat, when his army laid siege to Jerusalem in Hezekiah's time; but, for aught I know, it might be penned by David upon occasion of some eminent victory obtained in his time; yet not so calculated for that but that it might serve any other similar occasion in aftertimes, and be applicable also to the glories of the gospel church, of which Jerusalem was a type, especially when it shall come to be a church triumphant, the "heavenly Jerusalem" (Heb 12:22), "the Jerusalem which is above," Gal 4:26. Jerusalem is here praised, I. For its relation to God (Psa 48:1, Psa 48:2). II. For God's care of it (Psa 48:3). III. For the terror it strikes upon its enemies (Psa 48:4-7). IV. For the pleasure it gives to its friends, who delight to think, 1. Of what God has done, does, and will do for it (Psa 48:3). 2. Of the gracious discoveries he makes of himself in and for that holy city (Psa 48:9, Psa 48:10). 3. Of the effectual provision which is made for its safety (Psa 48:11-13). 4. Of the assurance we have of the perpetuity of God's covenant with the children of Zion (Psa 48:14). In singing this psalm we must be affected with the privilege we have as members of the gospel church, and must express and excite our sincere good-will to all its interests. A song and psalm for the sons of Korah.

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; and is one of the spiritual songs the apostle speaks of, Eph 5:19; It was occasioned, as some think, by David's spoiling the Philistines, Sa2 5:17; or, as others, by the deliverance of the people from the Moabites and Ammonites in the times of Jehoshaphat, Ch2 20:27; or, as others, by the deliverance of the inhabitants of Jerusalem from Sennacherib in the times of Hezekiah, Kg2 19:34; though as Kimchi, a celebrated Jewish commentator, owns, it belongs to the times of the Messiah, as the other preceding psalms; and treats of his greatness, and of the praise and glory due to him, and gives large encomiums of his church.

God is known in her palaces for a refuge. As there were palaces in Jerusalem; see Psa 48:13; so there are in the church of Christ; every place in it is a palace fit for a king; and everyone that has truly a name and a place there are kings and priests unto God: and here God is a "refuge" both for saints and sinners to fly unto; See Gill on Psa 46:1; and is "known" to be so; the ministers of the Gospel being here appointed to direct and encourage souls to flee to Christ for refuge, who is the hope set before them in the everlasting Gospel, preached by them to lay hold upon; and all that do flee to him know, by experience, that he is a refuge for them; and as all the people of God do in every time of distress, and when all refuge fails them elsewhere. ; and is "known" to be so; the ministers of the Gospel being here appointed to direct and encourage souls to flee to Christ for refuge, who is the hope set before them in the everlasting Gospel, preached by them to lay hold upon; and all that do flee to him know, by experience, that he is a refuge for them; and as all the people of God do in every time of distress, and when all refuge fails them elsewhere. Psalms 48:4 psa 48:4 psa 48:4 psa 48:4For, lo, the kings were assembled,.... As the princes of the Philistines to seek for David, when in the strong hold of Zion, Sa2 5:17; as the Ethiopians in the time of Asa, Ch2 14:9; and the Moabites and Ammonites in the times of Jehoshaphat, Ch2 20:1; and the kings of Syria and Israel in the times of Ahaz, Isa 7:1; and Sennacherib with his princes, who, in his esteem, were kings, in the times of Hezekiah, Kg2 18:17; which are instances of the kings, of the nations' gathering together against Zion, the city of Jerusalem, and people of the Jews, who were typical of the church of Christ; and that without success, and to their own confusion and destruction; though this seems to refer to the latter day of the Gospel dispensation, when all the kings of the earth, Pagan, Papal, and Mahometan, will be gathered together at the instigation of Satan, to the battle of the great day of the Lord God Almighty, in a place called Armageddon, where they will be defeated by Christ the King of kings, Rev 16:13. Jarchi and Kimchi interpret the passage of Gog and Magog gathering together to fight against Jerusalem, with which compare Rev 20:8; they passed by together; either to the battle, as Jarchi explains it; or they passed by Jerusalem, the city of our God, the church, without entering into it, or doing it any harm.

On the one hand, there is one church throughout all land and sea; thus we say in prayer, For the holy, single, universal and apostolic church, from one end of the world to the other. On the other hand, it is also divided into cities, towns and villages, which the inspired Word called “buildings.” As each city is composed of different houses and yet is called one city, so there are countless churches that defy numbering, both on islands and on continents, but all constitute one by being united in the common harmony of the true teachings. In these the God of all became apparent.

"God will be known in its houses." Here he commends the city for the wisdom of its citizens; for true wisdom consists in the knowledge of God. Jer. 9: "Let the one who glories, glory in this: to know and understand me." And therefore he commends it from the fact that God is known in it, and says, "God will be known in its houses." There is a threefold knowledge of God, because this can refer to the state of the city of Jerusalem, and to the Church, and to future glory. One knowledge of God, therefore, is figurative and obscure; and this knowledge existed in the Old Testament. And such knowledge was in that city, namely Jerusalem, and in the Jewish people. Ps. 75: "God is known in Judah," etc. And according to this it is said, "God will be known in its houses." Jerome has, "God has been recognized," etc., namely not in one place, but in all homes and cities. And he says "in its houses"; for among the Athenians, God was known. Acts 17: "In him we live and move and have our being." Rom. 1: "The invisible things of God," etc. But he was not known in households, but in schools among a few; whereas in that nation, all knew God. Another knowledge is real but obscure and imperfect; and this is the knowledge by which God is known through faith. 1 Cor. 13: "Now we see through a mirror," etc. And thus "God is known in the houses" with a real knowledge, but of faith; 2 Cor. 3: "But we, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord." And he says "in houses," because the whole universal Church contains under itself many churches and many communities, each of which is said to be a house possessing the knowledge of God. Jer. 31: "All shall know me, from the least to the greatest." Another knowledge is real, and it is a perfect and open knowledge. 1 Cor. 13: "Then I shall know even as I am known" -- in the houses of the heavenly Jerusalem. And the many houses are said to be the different orders of saints: namely, of apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins, etc. Jn. 14: "In my Father's house there are many mansions." And according to this, in the Roman Psalter it is said: "God will be known in its steps," because not all will know equally, but there will be different degrees of knowledge, according to some. 1 Cor. 15: "Star differs from star in brightness." But this will be "when he receives her" to help her, because he himself is our protector and helper. Another reading of Jerome has, "in helping."

This is a spirited Psalm and song (compare Psa 30:1), having probably been suggested by the same occasion as the foregoing. It sets forth the privileges and blessings of God's spiritual dominion as the terror of the wicked and joy of the righteous. (Psa 48:1-14) to be praised--always: it is an epithet, as in Psa 18:3. mountain of his holiness--His Church (compare Isa 2:2-3; Isa 25:6-7, Isa 25:10); the sanctuary was erected first on Mount Zion, then (as the temple) on Moriah; hence the figure.

palaces--literally, "citadels." refuge-- (Psa 9:10; Psa 18:3). He was so known in them because they enjoyed His presence.