Psalm 48:6-7

Psalm 48:6-7

The enemy trembles

The story of how the Lord God overpowered Israel’s enemies is continued in these verses. When the people walked with their God and lived in obedience to Him, He intervened again and again to overpower the enemy forces, by supernatural means. Verse 7 talks of the ships of Tarshish; this was a large seaport in the North West and in its day was a place of wonder for many, for great merchant ships came and went, bringing goods from all over the then-known world. There’s an enlightening verse in 1 Kings 10:22 which tells us about Solomon’s fleet harboured at Tarshish, “The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram (King of Lebanon). Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.” The reference to a shattering east wind tells us that there  were obviously threatening storms in those days, in fact even the Apostle Paul suffered a maritime hurricane called the Northeaster, when he was at sea off the Island of Crete. 

As we read this Psalm it is evident that the Sons of Korah really did consider Zion to be impregnable, able to withstand attacks from all directions. In v2 it stands above all other hills. In v4-5 the city withstands attacks from the south. Here in verse 7 is a reference to gales from the east. In v10 the praises of God reach the ends of the earth and in v13 we are invited to walk around the ramparts and to reflect that Zion is fortified on all sides. When a nation or an individual stands true to the Lord God, they will always be safe. When the Lord God is in His temple, enemy forces must fail. So, what are we frightened of? Hallelujah!

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