Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Psalms 48

This psalm, as the two former, is a triumphant song; some think it was penned on occasion of Jehoshaphat’s victory (2 Chronicles 20:1-20:30), 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” (Hebrews 12:22), “the Jerusalem which is above,” Galatians 4:26. Jerusalem is here praised, I. For its relation to God, Psalms 48:1, 48:2. II. For God’s care of it, Psalms 48:3. III. For the terror it strikes upon its enemies, Psalms 48:4-48:7. 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, Psalms 48:3. 2. Of the gracious discoveries he makes of himself in and for that holy city, Psalms 48:9, 48:10. 3. Of the effectual provision which is made for its safety, Psalms 48:11-48:13. 4. Of the assurance we have of the perpetuity of God’s covenant with the children of Zion, Psalms 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. MHBCC 527.1