Psalm 48:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

NIV: When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,

NASB: For, behold, the kings arrived, They passed by together.

CSB: Look! The kings assembled; they advanced together.

NLT: The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against the city.

KJV: For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

NKJV: For behold, the kings assembled, They passed by together.

The psalmist has held up Jerusalem as a real-world example of God's formidable power and might (Psalm 48:1–3). Here begins a description of foreign nations coming together to attack the city, only to run away in fear (Psalm 48:5–7). Several moments in history are possible inspirations for this description.

A literal convergence of enemy kings and armies is depicted during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20). God caused those forces to destroy each other without Israel needing to fight, at all. Another possibility is when Sennacherib, the Assyrian, and his vast army along with subordinate kings (Isaiah 10:8) descended on Jerusalem and laid siege to it. His intent was to repeat prior victories by conquering Jerusalem (Isaiah 10:9–11). Yet his military was obliterated by the power of God (2 Kings 19).

At the close of Jesus' kingdom rule on earth, nations and their leaders under the headship of the Devil will assemble around Jerusalem with the intent of destroying the city and its people. Revelation 20:9 relates: "And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city." Psalm 2:1–3 describes the same end-time event as an assault against the Lord and His Anointed, Jesus.

Psalm 48:1–9 extols the Lord's excellence and power. These verses establish Jerusalem, "the city of our God," as a shining example of His greatness. Scholars suggest this passage may refer to God's miraculous acts during the reign of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20), or to the defeat of the Assyrian army who attacked Hezekiah (2 Kings 19).

The psalm begins with a declaration of God's superiority and that He is worthy of worship. In this song, Jerusalem is used as an example of the Lord's greatness. Prior victories over enemies and the preservation of city walls and defenses attest to His loyal, persistent love for the city. Notes about assembled kings fleeing may refer to the miraculous rescue of Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20), where Israel didn't even need to fight to see her enemies flee. This psalm echoes themes found in Psalms 46 and 47, as well as the concept of passing along these truths to successive generations, as seen in Psalm 44:1–3.

Like Psalm 47, this psalm celebrates the Lord's deliverance of Jerusalem. This might refer to the defeat of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19) or the miraculous rout of an enemy coalition (2 Chronicles 20). The focus of the psalm is on Jerusalem as a living example of God's love and power. This shares themes with Psalms 46 and 47. Phrasing in certain verses resembles text found in Isaiah (Isaiah 33:14, 18, 21, 22). The "Sons of Korah" appear to be descendants of those who survived God's judgment during the exodus (Numbers 16:25–32; 26:9–11) and were especially connected to the tabernacle (1 Chronicles 9:19–21:).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.