These psalms are a trilogy of praise in memory of a great deliverance, most probably that of Jerusalem from the king of Assyria. They should be read in the light of 2 Kgs. 18 and 19.
- Gather out what is said about God in these psalms: his power, his character, his relation to the world, and his relation to his own people.
- What is the leading thought of each of the three psalms? What should be the response of God’s people to such a manifestation of his power and love?
Notes
- 46:5. ‘At break of day’: better, ‘When the morning dawns’, i.e., the morning of deliverance See RV mg. and cf. Mark 6:48, 51.
- 47:2 and 48:2. ‘The Great King’: i.e., the true Great King in contrast to the Assyrian monarch, who bore this title. Cf. Is. 36:4.
- 47:9. ‘Kings’ (=’shields’ RSV): meaning ‘rulers’. Cf. Ps. 89:18. The verse is prophetic of Christ’s find victory. Cf. 1Cor. 15:24, 25; Rev. 15:3, 4.
