Psalm 48:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: We have thought on your steadfast love, O God, in the midst of your temple.

NIV: Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.

NASB: We have thought over Your goodness, God, In the midst of Your temple.

CSB: God, within your temple, we contemplate your faithful love.

NLT: O God, we meditate on your unfailing love as we worship in your Temple.

KJV: We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

NKJV: We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple.

While praising God for His miraculous rescue of Jerusalem (Psalm 48:1–7), the psalmist speaks from the perspective of those visiting the city and seeing the temple (Psalm 48:8). The occasion for this praise might be the defeat of several armies who attacked Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20). Or it may be the miraculous obliteration of the Assyrian army led by Sennacherib (2 Kings 19). Either event would invoke the idea of God's eternal love for His people.

This verse is one of many appearances of the Hebrew term chesed, which refers to a loyal, constant, enduring love (Exodus 34:6; Ruth 1:8; Psalm 33:18). The same term is sometimes rendered as "lovingkindness" or related terms. Addressing the people of Israel, the Lord affirms, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you" (Jeremiah 31:3).

Certainly, Israel did nothing to deserve God's steadfast love. Even patriarchs such as Abraham and Jacob were unfaithful to Him at times. After the exodus from Egypt, their descendants sinned and continued to sin. As a result of Israel's failure to observe the Sabbaths and her embracing idolatry, God disciplined her by taking her into captivity. Nevertheless, He still loved Israel and planned to restore her in her homeland (Jeremiah 29:11). Christians, too, live under the umbrella of God's unfailing love (1 John 3:1), and should love Him in return (1 John 4:19).

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.