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Psalms 48:7

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 48:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

With the east wind Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish.
Psalms 48:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 48

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8As we have heard, so have we seen In the city of Jehovah of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah
9We have thought on thy lovingkindness, O God, In the midst of thy temple.
10As is thy name, O God, So is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: Thy right hand is full of righteousness.
← Psalms 48:6Psalms 48:8 →
← 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
“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, etc.] Not only his essential goodness, or the perfections of his nature; nor his providential goodness only; but his special grace and goodness to his own people in becoming their surety, in assuming their nature, in laying down his life for them, in working out their salvation, in paying their debts, and providing for them food and raiment, and all things pertaining to life and godliness: which goodness is “great”, inexpressibly great, and passing knowledge; if we consider the spring of it, his good will and free favour, and not the works and merits of men; the multitude of persons it reaches to, all the elect of God, a number…”
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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
“ships of Tarshish--as engaged in a distant and lucrative trade, the most valuable. The phrase may illustrate God's control over all material agencies, whether their literal destruction be meant or not.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish - On the ships of Tarshish, see the notes on Isaiah 2:16. The allusion to these ships here may have been to illustrate the power of God; the ease with which he destroys that which man has made. The ships so strong - the ships made to navigate distant seas, and to encounter waves and storms - are broken to pieces with infinite ease when God causes the wind to sweep over the ocean. With so much ease God overthrows the most mighty armies, and scatters them. His power in the one case is strikingly illustrated by the other. It is not necessary, therefore, to suppose that there was any actual occurrence of this kind particularly in the eye of the psalmist; but…”
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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
“Breakest - Thou didst no less violently and suddenly destroy these raging enemies of Jerusalem, than sometimes thou destroyest the ships at sea with a fierce and vehement wind, such as the eastern winds were in those parts. Psalms 48:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“48:7 The ships of Tarshish, built for long voyages, represent human accomplishment (see also 2 Chr 9:21; Isa 2:16). Their destruction might be the event mentioned in 1 Kgs 22:48.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“breakest: Eze 27:25, Eze 27:26 ships: Kg1 22:48; Isa 2:16 east: Jer 18:17 Psalms 48:8”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 48 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification