Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain,
This psalm celebrates Jerusalem's deliverance when many kings conspired against it. The prophet gives thanks and insists that God's sanctuary on Mount Zion was erected precisely so His power would be manifestly shown for His people's salvation. The historical setting is most likely the siege under Ahaz, or the invasions in the days of Jehoshaphat and Asa, when the city was brought to utter despair yet suddenly delivered.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 48:1-14
Great is the Lord. How great Jehovah is essentially none can conceive; but we can all see that he is great in the deliverance of his people, great in their esteem who are delivered, and great in the hearts of those enemies whom he scatters by their own fears.
Whatever we praise, God must be first and last in it; so when we honor Jerusalem or the church, all that honor flows back to God Himself. He chose this city, put His name there, and declared He would dwell in it forever. Where God is known, He is great; where He is made great, He is known.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 48:1-7