Bible in one year 8/25/ 2022 Psalm 46-48 By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Bible in one year 8/25/ 2022  Psalm 46-48

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce                                                                                                          

Christian Arts Ministries : Biblical precepts & Gospel music; Pastoral ministry & Counseling 

 

Psalm 46 This psalm of trust and thanksgiving focuses on the God of Israel, their refuge (vv.1-3), the city of God, their security (vv.4-7), and the deliverance of God, their peace (vv.8-11). Although the invasion of Israel by Sennacherib during the reign of Hezekiah (2Kings 18:13-19:37) may form the historical background for this psalm, it seems to anticipate Psalm 47, which is a song of God’s kingship, and thus ultimately refers to the millennial reign of Christ. Verse 4 a river for physical and spiritual blessing, particularly in relation to the millennial city of God, Jerusalem (Ezek.47:1, Zech.14:8). Verse 8 ultimately only King Messiah can do such things, during He future millennial reign (Isa.2:2-4;11:6-9). Be still (v.10) indicates cease from warlike activities and acknowledge God’s supremacy. 

 

Psalm 46: 1-11 A psalm of Sons of Korah

        God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (v.1).

       Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. (vv.1-3).

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells(v.4). 

God is with her. She will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Notions are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. (vv.5-6).

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (v.7).

Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire. (vv.8-9).

          Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is out fortress. (vv.10-11).

 

Psalm 47 This psalm of God’s kingship celebrates reign of the Lord over all the earth. As do Psalm 96-98, it looks forward to God’s rule through Christ during the Millennium (Ps.96).

Psalm 47: 1-9 A psalm of Sons of Korah

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High. The great King over all the earth! He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet. (vv.1-3).

He chose our inheritance for us. the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praise to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. (vv.4-6).

For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. (vv.7-9).

    Psalm 48 In this song of Zion, the psalmist praises God and Zion (Jerusalem) His dwelling place (vv.1-3), describes the defeat of  the city’s enemies(vv.4-8), offers thanksgiving (vv.9-10), and invites the people to praise and trust God(vv.11-14).

 

Psalm 48 : 1-14 A psalm of the Sons of Korah

God is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, his holy mountain. It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King. God is in her citadels; he has shown himself to be her fortress. (vv.1-3).

When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together, they saw her and were astounded; they fled in terror. Trembling seized them there, pain like that of  a woman in labor. You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish shattered by an east wind. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord Almighty. In the city of our God: God makes her secure forever. (vv.4-8).

Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. (vv.9-10).

Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. (vv.11-14).

 Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV). Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.