TRV
Translation
Complete Jewish Bible
They saw and were filled with consternation; terrified, they took to flight.
American Standard Version
They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away.
World English Bible Messianic
They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away.
Geneva Bible (1599)
When they sawe it, they marueiled: they were astonied, and suddenly driuen backe.
Young's Literal Translation
They have seen--so they have marvelled, They have been troubled, they were hastened away.
In the KJVVerse 14,640 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 48 verses 1–7
1 ¶ A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.
2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.
6 Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
7 Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
The psalmist is designing to praise Jerusalem and to set forth the grandeur of that city; but he begins with the praises of God and his greatness (Psa 48:1), and ends with the praises of God and his goodness, Psa 48:14. For, whatever is the subject of our praises, God must be both the Alpha and Omega of them. And, particularly, whatever is said to the honour of the church must redound to the honour of the church's God.
What is here said to the honour of Jerusalem is,
I. That the King of heaven owns it: it is the city of our God (Psa 48:1), which he chose out of all the cities of Israel to put his name there. Of Zion he said kinder things than ever he said of place upon earth. This is my rest for ever; here will I dwell, for I have desired it, Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14. It is the city of the great King (Psa 48:2), the King of all the earth, who is pleased to declare himself in a special manner present there. This our Saviour quotes to prove that to swear by Jerusalem is profanely to swear by God himself (Mat 5:35), for it is the city of the great King, who has chosen it for the special residence of his grace, as heaven is of his glory. 1. It is enlightened with the knowledge of God. In Judah God is known, and his name is great, but especially in Jerusalem, the head-quarters of the priests, whose lips were to keep this knowledge. In Jerusalem God is great (Psa 48:1) who in other places was made little of, was made nothing of. Happy the kingdom, the city, the family, the heart, in which God is great, in which he is uppermost, in which he is all. There God is known (Psa 48:3) and where he is known he will be great; none contemn God but those that are ignorant of him. 2. It is devoted to the honour of God. It is therefore called the mountain of his holiness, for holiness to the Lord is written upon it and all the furniture of it, Zac 14:20, Zac 14:21. This is the privilege of the church of Christ, that it is a holy nation, a peculiar people; Jerusalem, the type of it, is called the holy city, bad as it was (Mat 27:53), till that was set up, but never after. 3. It is the place appointed for the solemn service and worship of God; there he is greatly praised, and greatly to be praised, Psa 48:1. Note, The clearer discoveries are made to us of God and his greatness the more it is expected that we should abound in his praises. Those that from all parts of the country brought their offerings to Jerusalem had reason to be thankful that God would not only permit them thus to attend him, but promise to accept them, and meet them with a blessing, and reckon himself praised and honoured by their services. Herein Jerusalem typified the gospel church; for what little tribute of praise God has from this earth arises from that church upon earth, which is therefore his tabernacle among men. 4. It is taken under his special protection (Psa 48:3): He is known for a refuge; that is, he has approved himself such a one, and as such a one he is there applied to by his worshippers. Those that know him will trust in him, and seek to him, Psa 9:10. God was known, not only in the streets, but even in the palaces of Jerusalem, for a refuge; the great men had recourse to God and acquaintance with him. And then religion was likely to flourish in the city when it reigned in the palaces. 5. Upon all these accounts, Jerusalem, and especially Mount Zion, on which the temple was built, were universally beloved and admired - beautiful for situation, and the joy of the whole earth, Psa 48:2. The situation must needs be every way agreeable, when Infinite Wisdom chose it for the place of the sanctuary; and that which made it beautiful was that it was the mountain of holiness, for there is a beauty in holiness. This earth is, by sin, covered with deformity, and therefore justly might that spot of ground which was thus beautified with holiness he called the joy of the whole earth, that is, what the whole earth had reason to rejoice in, that God would thus in very deed dwell with man upon the earth. Mount Zion was on the north side of Jerusalem, and so was a shelter to the city from the cold and bleak winds that blew from that quarter; or, if fair weather was expected out of the north, they were thus directed to look Zion-ward for it.
II. That the kings of the earth were afraid of it. That God was known in their palaces for a refuge they had had a late instance, and a very remarkable one. Whatever it was, 1. They had had but too much occasion to fear their enemies; for the kings were assembled, Psa 48:4. The neighbouring princes were confederate against Jerusalem; their heads and horns, their policies and powers, were combined for its ruin; they were assembled with all their forces; they passed, advanced, and marched on together, not doubting but they should soon make themselves masters of that city which should have been the joy, but was the envy of the whole earth. 2. God made their enemies to fear them. The very sight of Jerusalem struck them into a consternation and gave check to their fury, as the sight of the tents of Jacob frightened Balaam from his purpose to curse Israel (Num 24:2): They saw it and marvelled, and hasted away, Psa 48:5. Not Veni, vidi, vici - I came, I saw, I conquered; but, on the contrary, Veni vidi victus sum - I came, I saw, I was defeated. Not that there was any thing to be seen in Jerusalem that was so very formidable; but the sight of it brought to mind what they had heard concerning the special presence of God in that city and the divine protection it was under, and God impressed such terrors on their minds thereby as made them retire with precipitation. Though they were kings, though they were many in confederacy, yet they knew themselves an unequal match for Omnipotence, and therefore fear came upon them, and pain, Psa 48:6. Note, God can dispirit the stoutest of his church's enemies, and soon put those in pain that live at ease. The fright they were in upon the sight of Jerusalem is here compared to the throes of a woman in travail, which are sharp and grievous, which sometimes come suddenly (Th1 5:3), which cannot be avoided, and which are effects of sin and the curse. The defeat hereby given to their designs upon Jerusalem is compared to the dreadful work made with a fleet of ships by a violent storm, when some are split, others shattered, all dispersed (Psa 48:7): Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind; effects at sea lie thus exposed. The terrors of God are compared to an east wind (Job 27:20, Job 27:21); these shall put them into confusion, and break all their measures. Who knows the power of God's anger?
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–7. Public domain.
Copy as
Arnobius of SiccaAD 330
Against the Heathen Book 2
This, I say, is man’s real death, when souls that know not God shall be consumed in long-protracted torment with raging fire, into which certain fiercely cruel beings shall cast them, who were unknown before Christ and brought to light only by his wisdom.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 48
"They saw it, and so they marvelled" [Psalm 48:4]. After their marvelling at the miracles and glory of Christ, what followed? "They were troubled, they were moved" [Psalm 48:5], "trembling took hold upon them." Whence took trembling hold upon them, but from the consciousness of sins? Let them run then, king after a king; kings, let them acknowledge the King. Therefore says He elsewhere, "Yet have I been set by Him a King upon His holy hill of Sion."...A King then was heard of, set up in Sion, to Him were delivered possessions even to the uttermost parts of the earth. Kings behooved to fear lest they should lose the kingdom, lest the kingdom be taken from them. As wretched Herod feared, and for the Child slew the children. [Matthew 2:16] But fearing to lose his kingdom, he deserved not to know the King. Would that he too had adored the King with the Magi: not by ill-seeking the kingdom, slain the Innocents, and perished guilty. For as concerning him, he destroyed the Innocents: but as for Christ, even a Child, the children dying for Him did He crown. Therefore behooved kings to fear when it was said, "Yet have I been set a King by Him upon His holy hill of Sion," and inheritance to the uttermost parts of the earth shall He give Him, who set Him up King....Thence also this is said to them, "Understand now therefore, O you kings; be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him with trembling." And what did they? "There pains as of a woman in travail." What are the pains "as of a woman in travail," but the pangs of a penitent? See the same conception of pain and travail: "Of Your fear" (says Isaiah) "we have conceived, we have travailed of the Spirit of salvation." [Isaiah 26:17-18] So then the kings conceived from the fear of Christ, that by travailing they brought forth salvation by believing on Him whom they had feared. "There pains as of a woman in travail:" when of travail you hear, expect a birth. The old man travails, but the new man is born.
Arnobius the YoungerAD 460
COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48
As he is recognized, the kings of the earth are disturbed.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Psalms 48:5 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Psalms 48:5 vividly portrays the sudden and overwhelming reaction of enemy kings who had converged with hostile intentions against Jerusalem. Upon witnessing an undeniable manifestation of God's presence and protective power, their confidence shattered, dissolving into profound astonishment, terror, and a frantic, disorderly retreat. The verse stands as a powerful testament to the Lord's unassailable sovereignty and His unwavering defense of His holy city and people, declaring that no earthly power or strategic might can successfully stand against Him.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 48 belongs to a distinct genre known as "Songs of Zion," psalms that extol Jerusalem as God's glorious city, His chosen dwelling place, and the epicenter of His redemptive activity. The psalm commences with fervent praise for God's greatness and His secure presence in Zion, as declared in Psalms 48:1-3. It then shifts to describe a dramatic, almost cinematic, confrontation where a coalition of kings gathers with malevolent intent against the city, as depicted in Psalms 48:4. Verse 5 serves as the climactic turning point of this narrative, detailing the enemy's instantaneous and inexplicable defeat. The subsequent verses, Psalms 48:6-8, further elaborate on God's destructive power and the psalmist's profound reflection on this divine intervention, culminating in a call to contemplate Zion's strength and God's eternal reign. This pivotal verse transitions the narrative from the looming threat to the miraculous and decisive divine deliverance.
Historical & Cultural Context: Jerusalem, often synonymous with Zion, held unparalleled religious, political, and cultural significance in ancient Israel. It was revered as the city chosen by God, where His Temple—the symbol of His tangible presence among His people—resided. In the ancient Near East, the siege of cities by rival kingdoms was a common occurrence, and a city's survival depended heavily on the strength of its fortifications and the prowess of its military. This psalm likely alludes to a recurrent, archetypal scenario where formidable enemy forces gather to attack Jerusalem, only to be supernaturally repelled by divine intervention. While the psalm does not name a specific event, it resonates deeply with historical accounts such as King Sennacherib's Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign, where the Lord miraculously struck down the Assyrians, leading to their panicked withdrawal, as recounted in 2 Kings 19:35. Such events profoundly reinforced the Israelite belief that God was the ultimate, unassailable defender of His dwelling place and His covenant people, a truth deeply interwoven into their cultural and theological identity.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 48 and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost among them is Divine Protection, illustrating God's unwavering and active defense of Jerusalem. The enemies did not need to be engaged in battle by human hands; God's mere manifest presence or a demonstration of His power was sufficient to cause their utter collapse, underscoring His absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers, as seen in the ultimate victory described in Psalms 48:8. Secondly, the Awe-Inspiring Power of God is vividly portrayed through the kings' immediate and visceral reaction—marvelling, being troubled, and hasting away. They witnessed something that defied their military might, strategic planning, and rational comprehension, leading to profound dismay and an undeniable recognition of a power far beyond their own, echoing the declaration in Psalms 48:1. Finally, the verse highlights the Consequences of Opposing God. Those who presumptuously set themselves against God's chosen city or His people inevitably face His formidable and terrifying power. Their initial confidence turns to confusion, panic, and humiliating defeat, demonstrating that no human force can ultimately stand against the Almighty, a truth also powerfully articulated in Psalms 2:4-5.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 48:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey the dramatic and instantaneous impact of divine intervention. The verse utilizes Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme and immediate reaction of the kings, portraying their astonishment, terror, and flight as an almost comical, yet terrifying, overreaction to an unseen, overwhelming force. This exaggeration underscores the immeasurable power of God. There is also a strong element of Dramatic Irony, as the kings, confident in their military might and strategic planning, are utterly undone by a power they neither anticipated nor could comprehend. Their initial gathering in defiance, as mentioned in Psalms 48:4, sets up their subsequent humiliating and panicked retreat. The verse also implicitly uses Symbolism, where Jerusalem itself symbolizes God's protective presence and the unshakeable security found in Him. The kings' reaction to the city is, in essence, their visceral reaction to the God who dwells within it. Furthermore, the rapid succession of verbs ("saw," "marvelled," "troubled," "hasted away") creates a powerful sense of Climax and rapid Pacing, effectively reflecting the suddenness, intensity, and overwhelming nature of their experience and their subsequent disorderly retreat.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 48:5 profoundly affirms God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to protect His people and His dwelling place. It reveals that God's mere presence, or a subtle manifestation of His power, is infinitely more formidable than any earthly army, demonstrating that human might, strategic planning, and military prowess are utterly futile when arrayed against the Almighty. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the true security of God's people does not lie in their own strength, fortifications, or alliances, but solely in the omnipotent hand of their divine Protector. It underscores the theological truth that those who presumptuously oppose God and His purposes will inevitably face His terrifying power and judgment, leading to their dismay, confusion, and ultimate defeat.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 48:5 offers both a profound source of comfort and a stern warning, speaking powerfully to believers and unbelievers alike. For the follower of God, it is an incredibly powerful assurance that our God is an active, present, and all-sufficient Protector. When we face overwhelming challenges, spiritual attacks, or seemingly insurmountable opposition in our lives—whether from external pressures, internal doubts, or the schemes of the enemy—this verse reminds us that our security is not in our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but solely in the Lord who can cause our adversaries to "marvel," be "troubled," and "haste away" with but a glance or a whisper. It encourages us to place our trust fully and unreservedly in His sovereign power, knowing that He is capable of defending us against all odds. For those who might presume to oppose God or His people, it serves as a potent and sobering reminder of the utter futility and inherent danger of such defiance. God's power is undeniable, His presence is unshakeable, and His judgment, though often patient, is swift and terrifying to those who stand against His divine will. We are called to live in reverent awe of His majesty and to find our ultimate refuge and security in His unshakeable presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "it" refer to in "They saw [it, and] so they marvelled"?
Answer: The "it" in Psalms 48:5 refers to an unspecified, yet undeniably powerful, manifestation of God's presence, power, or a divine act. The psalmist intentionally leaves it ambiguous to emphasize the overwhelming and inexplicable nature of the experience rather than a specific visual detail. It could have been a sudden, palpable sense of divine majesty, a supernatural sign, an earthquake, a terrifying sound, or simply the sheer, unexplainable collapse of their morale and will to fight in the face of God's protective aura around Jerusalem. The core point is that the kings witnessed something that defied natural explanation and pointed directly to the intervention of the Almighty, causing their immediate and profound dismay, as described in Psalms 48:5.
Does this verse refer to a specific historical event, like Sennacherib's invasion?
Answer: While Psalms 48:5 vividly describes a scenario strikingly similar to the historical account of Sennacherib's Assyrian army besieging Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign, where God miraculously intervened (2 Kings 19:35), the psalm itself does not explicitly name this or any other specific event. Many scholars believe "Songs of Zion" like Psalms 48 often celebrate the general, timeless truth of God's protection of Jerusalem, drawing on a pattern of divine interventions throughout Israel's history rather than a single, unique instance. The psalm's enduring message of God's defense of His city and people transcends any particular historical moment, making its truth applicable across generations and reminding us of God's consistent faithfulness to His covenant, as seen throughout the book of Psalms.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 48:5, with its dramatic portrayal of God's unassailable defense of Zion and the scattering of His enemies, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ and His church. Just as ancient Jerusalem was the physical dwelling place of God and the focal point of His protective covenant, so too is the Church the new spiritual Zion, the living temple and dwelling place of God through His Spirit, as revealed in Ephesians 2:21-22. The kings who "marvelled, were troubled, and hasted away" before God's power in Jerusalem powerfully foreshadow the ultimate and decisive defeat of all spiritual enemies—Satan, sin, and death—through the finished work of Christ. On the cross, Jesus disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them publicly, causing them to "haste away" in ultimate defeat and humiliation, as declared in Colossians 2:15. His glorious resurrection and triumphant ascension established Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords, seated at the right hand of God, from whom all authority in heaven and on earth now derives (Matthew 28:18). The foundational promise that "the gates of hell shall not prevail" against His church (Matthew 16:18) is the New Testament echo and ultimate guarantee of God's unwavering protection of His people, now embodied in the Body of Christ. Ultimately, the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, where God dwells eternally with His redeemed people and there is no more curse, sorrow, or enemy, for all things have been made new (Revelation 21:3-4), represents the final and complete fulfillment of God's protective presence and His sovereign victory, secured forever by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.