The title of the psalm is, “A song and psalm for the sons of Korah.” The “two” appellations, “song” and “psalm,” would seem to imply that it was intended to “combine” what was implied in both these words; that is, that it embraced what was usually understood by the word “psalm,” and that it was intended also specifically to be “sung.” Compare the notes at the titles to Psalms 3:1-8 (notes); 18 (notes); 30 (notes): In Psalms 30:1-12 the two are combined as they are here. On the phrase “For the sons of Korah,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 42:1-11.
The “occasion” on which the psalm was composed cannot be ascertained. Prof. Alexander and some others suppose that it was composed on the same occasion, or with reference to the same event, as the previous psalm - the overthrow of the enemies of Judah, under Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20. Others, as DeWette, suppose that it was on occasion of the overthrow of the army of Sennacherib, 2 Kings 19:35. The circumstances of the case best agree with the former of these suppositions, though it is not possible to ascertain this with absolute precision.
The contents of the psalm are as follows:
I. An ascription of praise to God, especially as dwelling in a city which was for its beauty and strength an appropriate dwelling-place of such a God, Psalms 48:1-3. The psalmist “begins” with a statement that God is worthy to be praised, Psalms 48:1; he then, in the same verse, refers to the abode of God, the city where he dwelt, as a holy mountain; he describes the beauty of that city Psalms 48:2; and he then adverts to the fact that God is “known in her palaces,” or that he dwells in that city as its protector. Its beauty, and its security in having God as a dweller there, are the first things to which the attention is directed.
II. A reference to the danger of the city on the occasion referred to, and the fact and the manner of its deliverance, Psalms 48:4-7. The psalmist represents the “kings” as assembling with a view to take it, but as being awe-struck with its appearance and as hastening away in consternation, - driven away as the ships of Tarshish are broken with an east wind.
III. The psalmist sees in these events a confirmation of what had been before affirmed of Jerusalem, that it would stand forever, or that God would be its protector, Psalms 48:8-10. There were on this subject ancient records, the truth of which the present event confirmed Psalms 48:8, and the psalmist says Psalms 48:9 that those records were now called to remembrance, and Psalms 48:10 that the effect would be that the name of God would be made known to the ends of the earth.
IV. A call on Jerusalem to rejoice, and a call on all persons to walk around and see the matchless beauty and strength of the city thus favored by God, Psalms 48:11-14. Its towers, its bulwarks, its palaces, were all such as to show its strength; the certainty of its permanence was such that one generation should proclaim it to another. God’s interposition had been such as to furnish proof that he would be their God forever and ever, and that even unto death he would be the guide of those that trusted Him.