Psalm 48:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor.

NIV: Trembling seized them there, pain like that of a woman in labor.

NASB: Panic seized them there, Anguish, as that of a woman in childbirth.

CSB: Trembling seized them there, agony like that of a woman in labor,

NLT: They were gripped with terror and writhed in pain like a woman in labor.

KJV: Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.

NKJV: Fear took hold of them there, And pain, as of a woman in birth pangs,

Here, the effects of fear on Jerusalem's enemies is compared to the experience of a woman giving birth. Scripture isn't clear about what event—if any—was the inspiration for this psalm. The main point is using Jerusalem as a living example of God's glory (Psalm 48:1–3). However, recent phrases have referred to an assembly of kings, who are now fleeing in terror (Psalm 48:4–5).

This may be a reference to the miraculous rescue of Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoshaphat. Several enemy nations gathered to attack, but fell into an ambush and were driven away without Israel fighting, at all (2 Chronicles 20).

Another option is the failed siege on Jerusalem led by Sennacherib (2 Kings 19). Isaiah spoke about how God will "punish the speech of the arrogant heart of the king of Assyria and the boastful look in his eyes" (Isaiah 10:12). Sennacherib, King of Assyria, bragged he would capture Jerusalem, underestimating the Lord. God promised Sennacherib would not only be barred from Jerusalem, but that he would fail to so much as mount an actual attack (Isaiah 37:33). When Assyria's army camped to prepare for battle, the Lord annihilated vast numbers of their soldiers. Those who remained panicked and fled. Sennacherib returned home to Nineveh quickly, but as he was worshiping in the house of his god Nisroch, his two sons murdered him (Isaiah 37:37–38).

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.