Click here to read PSALM 48 in poetic form.
Background
Some Bible teachers believe that Psalms 46, 47, and 48 where written by King Hezekiah regarding the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib (II Kings 18:13—19:37; II Chronicles 32:1-23; Isaiah 36:1—37:38). Some references relate to specific aspects of Jerusalem and its environs, as well as to conditions in a siege.
Like Psalm 46 and 47, this Psalm shows God’s majesty and power being greater than that of the Assyrians and Sennacherib their king. Psalm 48 shows God as “the great King” overall (verse 2).
The title includes “for the sons of Korah.” Regarding the sons of Korah, I Chronicles 9:19 says: “And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the Lord, were keepers of the entry.” They were responsible for service in the tabernacle and later the Temple.
This Psalm includes the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term. In this Psalm, the exact same points as in Psalm 47 occur before and after the “Selah” in verse 8.
Structure
(Verse 1) Give God praise
(Verse 2) God is King over the earth
(Verses 3-7) God will subdue the nations under us
(Verses 8) God will give an inheritance to His people
Pause
(Verses 9,10) Give God praise
(Verses 10) God is King over the earth
(Verse 11-13) God will subdue the nations under us
(Verses 13,14) God will give an inheritance to His people
Key Scriptures
Verse 1—“the mountain of his holiness.” Mount Zion in Jerusalem is called God’s “holy hill” in Psalms 2:6; 3:4; 15:1; 43:3; 48:1; 78:54; 99:9.
Verse 2—“the city of the great King.” This refers to David and David’s son, Jesus Christ—the Messiah. Jesus wanted to help Jerusalem as its true king. Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (See also Luke 13:34).
Verse 8—“Selah.” This connects each half of the Psalm. It also directly connects “the city of the Lord” (verse 8) with “Thy temple” (verse 9).
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
