Psalms 48:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Fear {H7461} took hold {H270}{H8804)} upon them there, and pain {H2427}, as of a woman in travail {H3205}{H8802)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Trembling took hold of them, pains like those of a woman in labor,

Berean Standard Bible

Trembling seized them there, anguish like a woman in labor.

American Standard Version

Trembling took hold of them there, Pain, as of a woman in travail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 48:6 powerfully depicts the sudden, overwhelming, and debilitating terror that seized the confederated kings and their armies upon confronting Jerusalem, the holy city. This verse employs the vivid and universally understood imagery of a woman in travail to convey the inescapable and agonizing nature of the panic and pain that gripped God's enemies, highlighting the divine power that defends Zion and ensures the security of His people against all adversaries.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within a psalm of praise (Psalms 48) that exalts the greatness of God and His unique protection over Mount Zion, which serves as both the dwelling place of God and the capital of His chosen people. The psalm opens with a grand declaration of God's majesty and His presence in Jerusalem, described in [Psalms 48:1-3](/psalms/48-1-3 "Psalms 48:1-3 - God's Greatness in Zion"). Immediately preceding verse 6, [Psalms 48:4-5](/psalms/48-4-5 "Psalms 48:4-5 - The Kings' Encounter with Zion") sets the stage by describing a formidable alliance of kings who "assembled themselves, they passed by together." Their collective movement suggests a hostile intent, likely to besiege or attack the city. However, their encounter with Zion is not a prolonged battle but an instantaneous and inexplicable collapse of their will and strength. Verse 6 thus serves as the dramatic climax of this confrontation, revealing that their disarray was not due to human military might but to a supernatural, divinely orchestrated intervention.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm likely draws upon historical instances where God miraculously defended Jerusalem against overwhelming odds. A prominent example is the deliverance from the Assyrian army under Sennacherib during King Hezekiah's reign, vividly recounted in [2 Kings 19:35-36](/2_kings/19-35-36 "2 Kings 19:35-36 - The Angel of the Lord Strikes the Assyrians") and [Isaiah 37:36-37](/isaiah/37-36-37 "Isaiah 37:36-37 - Sennacherib's Army Destroyed"). In the ancient Near East, fortified cities were common, and sieges were brutal, protracted affairs. The concept of a city being divinely protected, rendering it impregnable, was a powerful theological statement. The simile of "a woman in travail" was a universally understood and potent metaphor for sudden, intense, unavoidable pain and distress. It was frequently employed in prophetic literature to describe the anguish of judgment or catastrophe, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Birth Pangs of Judgment") and [Jeremiah 4:31](/jeremiah/4-31 "Jeremiah 4:31 - Anguish Like Birth Pangs"). This imagery would immediately evoke a sense of utter helplessness, agony, and the inevitability of a painful outcome.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 48:6 significantly contributes to several major theological themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Protection**, demonstrating God's absolute control over nations and His unwavering commitment to defend His chosen city and people. The enemies' fear is not a result of Jerusalem's military strength but of God's awesome, unseen presence, echoing the declaration in [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalms 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength") that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Secondly, it highlights **Sudden and Overwhelming Judgment**, illustrating the swift and decisive nature of God's judgment against those who oppose Him and His purposes. The terror and pain described are instantaneous and inescapable, signifying a divinely orchestrated defeat. Lastly, for believers, this passage emphasizes **Security in God's Presence**, reinforcing the profound safety and impregnability found in aligning with God's kingdom and trusting in His protective hand, as God's dwelling place was shown to be invincible to its foes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fear (Hebrew, _raʻad'_):** This term, derived from a root meaning "to shudder," denotes a profound and involuntary trembling or shuddering, indicative of intense dread or terror. It describes a sudden, overwhelming fright that seizes and incapacitates, leading to a loss of composure and the inability to act. In this context, it signifies a divinely induced terror that paralyzed the enemy kings, stripping them of their will to fight or even stand.
* **took hold (Hebrew, _ʼâchaz'_):** This primitive root signifies "to seize," often with the accessory idea of "holding in possession." It implies a firm, inescapable grip, indicating that the fear was not a fleeting emotion but a powerful, consuming force that completely overwhelmed the kings, rendering them helpless and unable to resist its effects.
* **pain (Hebrew, _chîyl'_):** This feminine noun, derived from a root meaning "to writhe," refers to a "throe" or "pang," particularly those associated with childbirth. It conveys intense physical and emotional anguish, a deep-seated sorrow or distress that causes one to tremble or writhe. Here, it signifies not just physical discomfort but a complete breakdown of composure and strength, an agony that accompanies the paralyzing fear.
* **travail (Hebrew, _yâlad'_):** This primitive root means "to bear young" or "to beget," and by extension, describes the act of "labour" or "childbirth." When used in the phrase "woman in travail," it evokes the universally recognized experience of excruciating, unavoidable, and progressive pain. Applied to the enemy kings, it suggests their plans and strength collapsed with agonizing certainty and helplessness, much like labor pains come upon a woman without warning and with increasing, inescapable intensity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Fear took hold upon them there":** This clause dramatically describes the immediate and irresistible grip of terror. "Them" refers to the confederated kings and their armies who had gathered against Jerusalem. "There" points to the very location of their hostile assembly, likely within sight of or near the holy city itself. The phrase "took hold" (Hebrew, _ʾāḥaz_) conveys a powerful, inescapable seizure, indicating that this fear was not a gradual apprehension but a sudden, paralyzing force that completely overwhelmed them, rendering them incapable of action or resistance.
* **"[and] pain":** This addition emphasizes that the experience was not merely psychological fear but also an accompanying physical and emotional anguish. The conjunction "and" links this pain directly to the fear, suggesting a comprehensive breakdown of their composure and well-being. It implies a deep-seated agony that went beyond mere fright, perhaps a realization of their utter helplessness before God.
* **"as of a woman in travail":** This powerful simile clarifies the nature and intensity of the "pain." It likens the enemies' experience to the excruciating, unavoidable, and debilitating pain of childbirth. This comparison highlights several aspects: the sudden onset, the intense and writhing agony, the sense of helplessness, the public and undeniable nature of the distress, and the inevitability of the outcome. Just as a woman cannot escape or control the pangs of labor, so these kings could not escape or control the terror and anguish that God inflicted upon them, signaling the certain demise of their hostile intentions.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Psalms 48:6 is **Simile**, explicitly stated with "as of a woman in travail." This comparison is profoundly effective, drawing on a universally understood human experience of intense, unavoidable, and debilitating pain to describe the terror and anguish that seized the enemy kings. The simile conveys the suddenness, the overwhelming nature, and the utter helplessness of their situation. Furthermore, the verse employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme degree of fear and pain experienced; while the terror was real, its description is magnified to underscore the divine power behind it. The vivid imagery also creates a strong sense of **Pathos**, evoking a visceral understanding of the "woman in travail's" agony while simultaneously highlighting the terrifying and inescapable power of God's judgment on His adversaries.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 48:6 serves as a powerful testament to the absolute sovereignty of God and His unwavering commitment to defend His people and His dwelling place. It reveals that the security of God's city, Jerusalem, was not dependent on its fortifications or military might, but on the awesome, active presence of the Lord within it. This divine protection extends beyond physical defense to a spiritual reality, where God's enemies are not merely defeated but divinely demoralized and incapacitated by an overwhelming sense of dread and anguish. The verse underscores the futility of opposing God's purposes, demonstrating that His judgment can be sudden, comprehensive, and inescapable, rendering even the most formidable human forces utterly powerless. It is a profound declaration that the Lord reigns, and those who stand against Him will ultimately face His terrifying power, while those who trust in Him find impregnable security.

* [Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Birth Pangs of Judgment")
* [Exodus 15:16](/exodus/15-16 "Fear and Dread Fall Upon Them")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 48:6 offers profound reassurance to believers while serving as a sober warning to those who oppose God. For the faithful, this verse underscores the unshakeable security found in God's presence and His unfailing protection. In a world fraught with challenges and adversaries, it reminds us that our ultimate refuge is not in human strength, political alliances, or material wealth, but in the Lord Himself. Just as He supernaturally defended Jerusalem, He continues to be our stronghold, capable of turning the plans of our enemies to naught and instilling fear in the hearts of those who stand against His kingdom. This should cultivate a deep sense of trust and confidence, enabling us to face life's trials with courage, knowing that God is actively at work, defending His truth and His people. Conversely, for those who set themselves against God's will or His people, this verse serves as a stark warning: the "fear" and "pain" described are a premonition of the inevitable and overwhelming judgment that awaits all who defy the Almighty. It calls for humility, repentance, and alignment with God's righteous purposes, for His power to save is also His power to judge.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of "a woman in travail" deepen your understanding of the intensity and inevitability of divine judgment?**
* **What specific "enemies" or challenges in your life or in the world today might you be tempted to fear more than God? How does this verse reorient your perspective?**
* **In what ways can you actively rest in God's protection, knowing that He is your ultimate refuge and strength against all adversaries?**

### FAQ
**What historical event is Psalms 48:6 most likely referring to?**

Answer: While Psalms 48:6 describes a general principle of divine protection and judgment, many biblical scholars believe it most strongly alludes to the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army during the reign of King Hezekiah, as detailed in [2 Kings 19](/2_kings/19 "2 Kings 19 - Sennacherib's Defeat") and [Isaiah 37](/isaiah/37 "Isaiah 37 - Hezekiah's Prayer and Sennacherib's Doom"). In this account, the mighty Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem, but an angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in a single night, causing the remaining army to retreat in disarray. This event perfectly illustrates the sudden, overwhelming fear and destruction that seized God's enemies without human intervention, aligning precisely with the imagery of "fear took hold upon them... as of a woman in travail." It serves as a powerful historical example of God's direct intervention to protect His holy city and people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 48:6, with its depiction of God's ultimate defense of Zion and the paralyzing terror inflicted upon His enemies, finds its profoundest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalm speaks of a physical city, the New Testament reveals that the true "Mount Zion" is now the spiritual kingdom of God, embodied in Christ and His church, the "heavenly Jerusalem" to which believers have come ([Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). The ultimate defeat of God's enemies is not merely a historical military victory but the decisive triumph of Christ over sin, death, and the powers of darkness through His crucifixion and resurrection. The "fear" and "pain" that seized the kings foreshadow the ultimate judgment awaiting all who oppose God's reign, a judgment fully administered by Christ, who has been given "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission")). Believers, who are "in Christ," are now the recipients of this divine protection, dwelling securely in Him, the true temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). The final manifestation of this victory will be at Christ's return, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")), and those who stood against Him will face the inescapable "wrath of the Lamb" ([Revelation 6:16-17](/revelation/6-16-17 "Revelation 6:16-17 - The Wrath of the Lamb")). Thus, Psalms 48:6 points forward to Christ as the ultimate defender of His people and the sovereign judge of all who oppose God's eternal kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 13:6

¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:8

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.

Hosea 13:13

The sorrows of a travailing woman shall come upon him: he [is] an unwise son; for he should not stay long in [the place of] the breaking forth of children.

Jeremiah 30:6

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

Jeremiah 30:7

Alas! for that day [is] great, so that none [is] like it: it [is] even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Exodus 15:15

Then the dukes of Edom shall be amazed; the mighty men of Moab, trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall melt away.

Exodus 15:16

Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of thine arm they shall be [as] still as a stone; till thy people pass over, O LORD, till the people pass over, which thou hast purchased.