Ps. 48 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm was composed upon the occasion of some eminent deliverance vouchsafed by God to the city of Jerusalem from some potent enemy and dreadful danger; either that in Jehoshaphat’s time, 2 Chron.

In the city of our God; in Jerusalem, which he hath chosen for his dwelling-place. In the mountain of his holiness, i.e. in his holy mountain; either Zion, where the ark and tabernacle was; or rather Moriah, where the temple now was.

The joy of the whole earth: Jerusalem may be so called here, as it is also Lam. 2:15, not actually, as if all people did rejoice in it, or for it; but, 1.

God is known to his people by sensible and long experience, and to all neighbouring nations by their own observation. In her palaces, i. e in the habitations, or to the inhabitants of that city.

Either those kings confederate against Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 20:0; or the Assyrian princes, whom they vain-gloriously called kings, Isa. 10:8. They passed by, in their march towards Jerusalem. Or, they passed away, i.e. departed without the success which they desired and confidently expected.

They saw it; they did only look upon it, but not come into it, nor shoot an arrow there, —nor cast a bank against it, as is said upon this or the like occasion, 2 Kings 19:32.

Partly at the tidings of Tirhakah’s coming against them, 2 Kings 19:9, and partly for that terrible slaughter of their army there, 2 Kings 19:35.

This is not reported as a matter of fact, for we read of no ships in those expeditions to which this Psalm relates, nor did any ships come near Jerusalem, because that was at a great distance from the sea, and from any navigable river running into the sea; but only added by way of illustration or…

The predictions of the prophets, either 2 Chron. 20:14, or 2 Kings 19:20;c., have been verified by the events. Or, we have had late and fresh experiences of such wonderful works of God, as before we only heard of by the report of our fathers.

It hath been the matter of our serious and deep meditation, when we have been worshipping there in thy temple. For when the priests were offering incense or sacrifice, the religious people exercised themselves in holy meditation or secret prayer to God, as may be gathered from Luke 1:10, and many…

For this and such-like glorious actions thou art praised and acknowledged, and evidently proved to be such a one as thou hast affirmed thyself to be in thy word, God almighty, or all-sufficient, the Lord of hosts, the King of thy church and people, and a strong Tower to all that trust in thee, and…

Mount Zion; synecdochically put for Jerusalem. The daughters of Judah, i.e. the other and lesser cities and towns or villages (i.e. all the people) of Judah; for such are commonly called daughters in respect of the mother city, to which they are subjects: see Josh. 15:45, Josh. 17:16, Ps.

He speaketh, either, 1. To the enemies, as triumphing over them. Or rather, 2. To the people of that city and kingdom, who had been eye-witnesses of this glorious work of God, as appears from the following verses. He bids them mark well her towers, bulwarks, and palaces, here, and Ps.

Consider; or, exalt, or admire, Tell it to the generation following, that they may be excited to continue their praises to God for this mercy, by which they hold and enjoy all their blessings, and to trust in God in the like difficulties for the future.

This God; who hath done this great work. Even unto death, i.e. whilst we have a being. Birth and life, and the several ages of life and death, are oft ascribed to churches and commonwealths, both in Scripture and in other authors.