Psalms 45
Summary for Ps 45:1-17: Ps 45 a This psalm celebrates a royal wedding; it might have been sung on many occasions and not just at one wedding. As God’s representative, the king carried the responsibility of dispensing justice and maintaining order in God’s world (see Ps 2 b). 45:title c The tune “Lilies” is no longer known (see also Ps 69 d).45:2 e This general description of the king’s symbolic status anticipates his permanent legacy (45:16 f). That the Lord has blessed him and charged him to bear God’s attributes is symbolized by his handsome appearance and gracious words.
Summary for Ps 45:3-5: 45:3-5 g The psalmist expounds on the royal splendor the king showed when fighting his enemies. 45:3 h Glory and majesty belong to the Lord (96:6 i; 111:3 j).
45:4 k As God’s agent of truth, humility, and justice (see 72:1-2 l, 4 m, 7 n), the king can carry out awe-inspiring deeds (65:5 o; 96:4 p).
Summary for Ps 45:6-9: 45:6-9 q The king is like a god among humans; he is anointed by God, he has received a mighty throne, and he dispenses justice as he rules forever.
• The writer to the Hebrews applies 45:6-7 r to Jesus as he argues that the Son is greater than the angels (Heb 1:8-9 s). 45:6 t Justice characterizes God’s rule, as it should characterize the king’s administration.
45:8 u Fine spices mixed with oil create distinctive perfumes.
• The king’s palaces were wood paneled with ivory inlays (cp. 6:4 v; Amos 3:15 w).
45:9 x Marriages often sealed diplomatic connections between kings; the women became part of the harem (see 1 Kgs 11:1-3 y).
Summary for Ps 45:10-12: 45:10-12 z The bride is a representative of the king. Powerful people and nations try to gain her favor in order to get close to the king. This is a great honor, and she is encouraged to give herself fully to her new position.
45:12 aa The princess of Tyre: Israel traded with Tyre, a powerful city-state. The noblest woman of the city bears a wedding gift to her counterpart, the new queen, who represents an honored kingdom.
Psalms 46
Summary for Ps 46:1-11: Ps 46 ab This psalm of Zion celebrates God’s special presence in Jerusalem (see also Pss 48 ac, 76 ad, 87 ae, 122 af), inviting confidence in the Lord because the citizens of Zion enjoy his protection. 46:title ag sung by soprano voices: Hebrew according to alamoth (“maidens”; see also study note on 1 Chr 15:20). In worship, a choir or a group of instrumentalists performed this hymn.Summary for Ps 46:1-3: 46:1-3 ah Even when faced with natural disasters, the citizens of Zion express no fear.
Summary for Ps 46:4-6: 46:4-6 ai The strong city where God dwells protects its inhabitants. They enjoy the river flowing inside the city. This river contrasts with the turbulent waters (the powers of the nations) outside the city. 46:4 aj Like the streams flowing through Eden, this river brings the water of life, restoration, and healing (36:8-9 ak; see Gen 2:10 al; Ezek 47 am; Rev 22:2 an).
46:5 ao From the very break of day: In the ancient Near East, enemies attacked cities during the day; even during the most dangerous times, the Lord will protect the place where his name dwells.
46:6 ap People and nations live in chaos, characterized by opportunism (83:2 aq), busyness (39:6 ar), and noise. These people shake, totter, and crumble, unlike the city of God (cp. 15:5 as). In contrast, when the godly feel disturbed, they cry out for God’s help (42:5 at, 11 au; 43:5 av; 55:17 aw).
46:7 ax This refrain reminds readers of the identity of the God of Zion.
• among us: Hebrew ‘immanu, part of the name Immanuel, “God with us” (Isa 7:14 ay; 8:8 az; Matt 1:23 ba).
Summary for Ps 46:8-9: 46:8-9 bb This invitation to trust in the Lord offers a perspective on God’s interactions with human powers. 46:8 bc Israel saw the Lord’s glorious works in the wilderness (107:24 bd; 111:2 be), but the wicked, who have no concern for them (28:5 bf), are left desolate (73:19 bg).
46:10 bh A message directly from the Lord confirms the authenticity of the psalmist’s vision (see also 12:5-6 bi; 32:8 bj).
• know that I am God: The Lord will do what he promises (Isa 45:3 bk; 49:23 bl; 60:16 bm).
• God will be exalted (Ps 47 bn; Isa 6:1 bo); he will judge the nations and rescue his people (see Pss 57:11 bp; 89:13 bq; 108:5-6 br; 118:16 bs).
Psalms 47
Summary for Ps 47:1-9: Ps 47 bt This psalm celebrates God’s kingship over all the earth; it tells of God’s victory in dealing with Israel and the nations. Both Israel (47:3-4 bu) and the nations (47:9 bv) participate in God’s kingdom.Summary for Ps 47:1-2: 47:1-2 bw As the sovereign king over the nations, God requires praise. 47:1 bx People clap their hands in praise and recognition of marvelous deeds (47:3-4 by; see 98:8 bz; Isa 55:12 ca; cp. Nah 3:19 cb).
Summary for Ps 47:3-4: 47:3-4 cc The Lord made Israel victorious, especially under David (see 18:40-50 cd). God’s mighty deeds of redemption manifest his love for Israel.
47:4 ce Jacob’s descendants: Jacob was the father of all Israelites (Gen 32:28 cf); the name Jacob often represents the nation of Israel.
• God loves and commits himself to Jacob (see Pss 78:68 cg; 127:2 ch; see Rom 11:28 ci).
Summary for Ps 47:5-6: 47:5-6 cj The psalmist portrays the Lord as returning to heaven, having accomplished his victories. For a portrayal of his descent, see 18:9-16 ck. 47:5 cl trumpets: Or rams’ horns (see 81:3 cm). At times, rams’ horns were sounded in celebration (98:5-6 cn; 2 Kgs 11:14 co; 1 Chr 15:28 cp).
47:7 cq People from all the earth (see 96:1-3 cr) will worship God.
Psalms 48
Summary for Ps 48:1-14: Ps 48 cs This song of Zion (see also Pss 46 ct, 76 cu, 87 cv, 122 cw) explicitly views Jerusalem (Zion) as the city of the Great King where the godly find protection (48:1-3 cx). God rules from Zion in faithfulness, righteousness, and justice, and he inspires his subjects with confidence and joy (48:9-11 cy). They commit themselves to seeing the glory of Zion for themselves so that they can tell the next generation about it (48:8 cz, 12-14 da).48:3 db God dwells in Zion to protect it from all enemies (see 46:5 dc).
48:7 dd The ships of Tarshish, built for long voyages, represent human accomplishment (see also 2 Chr 9:21 de; Isa 2:16 df). Their destruction might be the event mentioned in 1 Kgs 22:48 dg.
Summary for Ps 48:9-11: 48:9-11 dh The psalmist joyfully celebrates the Lord’s presence in the midst of the community, reflecting on the faithfulness, righteousness, and justice of God’s rule.
Summary for Ps 48:12-13: 48:12-13 di towers ... fortified walls ... citadels: These structures provide a visual tour of Zion’s strength.
48:14 dj No one is like God (35:10 dk; 71:19 dl; 86:8 dm; 89:6 dn, 8 do; 113:5 dp; see Isa 40:18 dq, 25 dr). He is the shepherd King (Ps 95:7 ds) who will guide (see 5:8 dt; 23:2 du) the sheep of his flock (77:20 dv).
Psalms 49
Summary for Ps 49:1-20: Ps 49 dw In this wisdom psalm, a wise teacher warns against enemies, whom he portrays as living a rich lifestyle and caring only for themselves (49:5-9 dx). They cannot keep anyone alive, least of all themselves, even in their memories (49:10-12 dy). Like fattened animals, they are led to slaughter (49:14-20 dz).Summary for Ps 49:1-4: 49:1-4 ea The wisdom teacher invites everyone to the hall of wisdom; he promises to instruct with a proverb and a riddle.
Summary for Ps 49:1-2: 49:1-2 eb Anyone who will listen can gain wisdom (Prov 1:5 ec, 8 ed, 33 ee).
49:4 ef The teacher used both proverbs and riddles for instruction in wisdom (see Prov 1:5-6 eg).
Summary for Ps 49:5-8: 49:5-8 eh If enemies who live for material rewards cannot sustain themselves, how can they give life to others?
Summary for Ps 49:11-12: 49:11-12 ei The teacher brings wisdom through irony. Everyone dies, and even those with estates named after them will be forgotten.
Summary for Ps 49:13-15: 49:13-15 ej The teachers of false wisdom cannot rescue themselves from death. Only God has that power.
Summary for Ps 49:16-20: 49:16-20 ek The wicked might have rich, luxurious lives, but they forget that they cannot avoid death.
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