Psalms 48:5
As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The enemies saw the city, and instead of attacking, they were so overwhelmed with awe and terror that they simply fled. This wasn't just fear; it was a paralyzing astonishment, a sudden realization that God was the true defender, leading to an immediate and disorganized retreat.
This psalm recounts a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from invading kings. The enemies, assembled and confident in their strength, approach the city, but upon seeing it and experiencing God's intervention, they are struck with sudden panic and flee in disorder. This divine intervention completely shatters their plans and leaves them astonished and terrified.
Imagine an army so terrified by a mere sight that they turn and flee before a battle even begins. This wasn't just a city's walls; it was God's presence that struck them with awe and dread.
A Miraculous Overthrow
The enemies of Zion didn't just see a fortified city; they encountered God's power in action. The text emphasizes their immediate and utter defeat simply upon seeing it. This wasn't about military strategy or the city's impressive architecture alone.
The mighty conquerors came, they saw, and they fled! This psalm flips the script on military boasts, highlighting a swift and decisive divine victory.
A Humiliating Retreat
This verse paints a stark contrast to the confident declarations of conquerors. Instead of conquering, the enemy experienced a complete reversal.
Understand the original words
tamah · Hebrew Verb
Describes a state of profound shock or amazement. In a biblical context, it often refers to the overwhelming fear or awe experienced by enemies when they encounter the power and judgment of God.
bahal · Hebrew Noun/Verb
A state of sudden, overwhelming terror or fear that causes confusion and flight. It is frequently associated with the judgment of God falling upon those who oppose Him.
This psalm likely celebrates a specific, miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from invading armies. The vivid imagery of enemies seeing the city, becoming terrified, and fleeing without a fight strongly suggests an event where divine intervention was the primary cause of the victory, such as the miraculous destruction of Sennacherib's army.
Late 8th century BC
Sennacherib's Invasion
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invades Judah and captures many cities, but his army is miraculously destroyed before reaching Jerusalem.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports some of the royal family and educated citizens, including Daniel, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Babylonian forces conquer Jerusalem again, exiling King Jehoiachin and many more prominent citizens.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar completely destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon.
This passage describes a similar sudden and miraculous defeat of an invading army by God's power, echoing the swift panic and flight described in Psalms 48:5.
Isaiah 33:3This verse describes enemies fleeing and being dismayed when they see God's glory and power displayed, mirroring the 'astounded' and 'fleeing' reaction in Psalms 48:5.
2 Chronicles 20:22-25This historical account of an invading army's defeat, though through internal conflict, illustrates how God can bring about the downfall of enemies who threaten His people, causing them to scatter and flee.
Jeremiah 50:11This passage speaks of God's judgment upon Babylon, leading to their shame and terror, which is conceptually parallel to the enemies' panicked reaction to Zion's divine protection.
Revelation 18:10In this prophetic vision, the kings of the earth stand afar off in fear of Rome's judgment, showing a similar terrified flight and lament when faced with divine power and destruction.
wesleyPsalms 48:5: "They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away."
48:5 Saw it - They did only look upon it, but not come into it, nor shoot an arrow there - nor cast a bank against it, 2Kings 19:32. Marvelled - At the wonderful works wrought by God.
poolePsalms 48:5: "They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away."
They saw it; they did only look upon it, but not come into it, nor shoot an arrow there, —nor cast a bank against it , as is said upon this or the like occasion, 2 Kings 19:32 . So they marvelled, not so much at the structure or strength of the city, as at the wonderful works wrought by God on their behalf. They were troubled and hasted away: see 2 Kings 19:35 .
The enemies saw the city, and instead of attacking, they were so overwhelmed with awe and terror that they simply fled. This wasn't just fear; it was a paralyzing astonishment, a sudden realization that God was the true defender, leading to an immediate and disorganized retreat.
This psalm recounts a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from invading kings. The enemies, assembled and confident in their strength, approach the city, but upon seeing it and experiencing God's intervention, they are struck with sudden panic and flee in disorder. This divine intervention completely shatters their plans and leaves them astonished and terrified.
This psalm recounts a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from invading kings. The enemies, assembled and confident in their strength, approach the city, but upon seeing it and experiencing God's intervention, they are struck with sudden panic and flee in disorder. This divine intervention completely shatters their plans and leaves them astonished and terrified.
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c. 540-530 BC— this verse
Composition of Psalm 48
This psalm likely commemorates a miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem from foreign invaders, possibly during the Assyrian or Babylonian periods, or a later siege.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon, many Jewish exiles are permitted to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple.
"As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight." — The enemies saw the city, and instead of attacking, they were so overwhelmed with awe and terror that they simply fled. This wasn't just fear; it was a paralyzing astonishment, a sudden realization t…
