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Psalms 48:4

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 48:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.
Psalms 48:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, In the city of our God, in his holy mountain.
2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, Is mount Zion, [on] the sides of the north, The city of the great King.
3God hath made himself known in her palaces for a refuge.
4For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.
5They saw it, then were they amazed; They were dismayed, they hasted away.
6Trembling took hold of them there, Pain, as of a woman in travail.
7With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.
← Psalms 48:3Psalms 48:5 →
← Full Chapter 48 Psalms Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“One generation shall praise thy works to another, etc.] The works of providence done in one age shall be told by the father to the son with praise to the great Performer of them, and so be transmitted to the latest posterity; for in every age there are new and strange things done in Providence, the memory of which is not lost, but they are recorded for the glory of God and the use of men; and the works of grace and salvation wrought by Christ should be, have been, and will be told from age to age; and published in every age by his faithful ministering servants, to the glory of his grace, and the praise of his great name; (see <192230>Psalm 22:30,31 102:12,18); and shall declare thy mighty…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For--The reason is given. Though the kings (perhaps of Moab and Ammon, compare Psa 83:3-5) combined, a conviction of God's presence with His people, evinced by the unusual courage with which the prophets (compare Ch2 20:12-20) had inspired them, seized on their minds, and smitten with sudden and intense alarm, they fled astonished.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For, lo, the kings were assembled - There is evidently allusion here to some fact that had occurred; some gathering together of kings and their armies, with a view to besiege or attack Jerusalem. The kings referred to, if the allusion here is, as is supposed, to the time of Jehoshaphat, were the kings of Ammon and of Moab, and of Mount Seir, and perhaps others, not particularly mentioned, who came up against Jehoshaphat, 2 Chronicles 20:1, 2 Chronicles 20:10. They passed by together - That is, they were smitten with consternation; they were so impressed with the beauty, the majesty, the strength of the city, that they passed along without venturing to attack it. Or, perhaps, the meaning may…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The kings - Either those kings confederate against Jehoshaphat, Ch2 20:1, or the Assyrian princes; whom they vain - gloriously called kings, Isa 10:8. Passed - In their march towards Jerusalem. Psalms 48:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Psa 83:2-8; Sa2 10:6, Sa2 10:14, Sa2 10:16-19; Isa 7:1, Isa 8:8-10, Isa 10:8, Isa 29:5-8; Rev 17:12-14, Rev 19:20, Rev 20:8, Rev 20:9 Psalms 48:5”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification