Psalms 48:5-7
As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse isn't just about enemies seeing Jerusalem and fleeing in fear; it highlights their astonishment stemmed from the city's appearance itself, a sight so divinely protected and awe-inspiring that it paralyzed them, like a sudden, overwhelming revelation. This isn't just about military might, but a supernatural dread that seized them before any battle even began.
This psalm recounts a stunning divine intervention where invading armies, upon seeing Jerusalem and realizing God’s power defending it, are struck with immediate panic. They had come together in alliance, expecting an easy conquest, but their advance was halted not by the city's walls or warriors, but by an overwhelming sense of awe and terror that caused them to flee in disarray. The immediate aftermath is a description of their sudden, inexplicable rout, emphasizing God's swift and decisive action in protecting His people and His holy city.
The enemies saw the city, but what truly struck them wasn't just stone and mortar. It was something far more potent.
The psalm emphasizes that the enemies' reaction wasn't solely based on the physical appearance or defenses of Jerusalem. They marveled and were troubled because they recognized the 'wonderful works wrought by God' (Poole) on their behalf. It was a divine intervention, a display of God's power, that paralyzed them.
Think of it like this: Imagine an army approaching a seemingly impregnable fortress. But as they get closer, they don't just see walls; they see signs of God's overwhelming power – perhaps a sudden, unnatural storm, or an inexplicable confusion among their own ranks. The text suggests it was this divine radiance, this 'splendor of his glory' (Calvin), that caused them to panic.
What makes a mighty army turn tail and run without a fight? It's a profound spiritual and emotional collapse.
The swiftness and totality of the enemies' flight—'they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight'—suggests a sudden and complete psychological breakdown. Commentators describe it as 'panic terror' (Cambridge) or 'fear seized upon them... and pain as of a woman in travail' (Calvin).
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This wasn't just a tactical retreat. It was a visceral, overwhelming fear that paralyzed their will to fight. Their previous arrogance and confidence evaporated instantly upon seeing the city and recognizing God's hand. The swift succession of actions in the verse—seeing, being astounded, panicking, fleeing—highlights the dramatic and immediate nature of this divine discomfiture.
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.
chîlâh · Hebrew Noun
A state of intense physical or mental distress, often used in Scripture to describe the sudden, overwhelming pain of childbirth or the terror experienced by God's enemies when confronted with His judgment.
'oniyyôth tarshîsh · Hebrew Noun phrase
Ships of Tarshish refer to large, ocean-going merchant vessels, likely named for their destination (Tarshish). Biblically, they represent human wealth, power, and commercial might that is ultimately subject to the sovereignty of God.
The overwhelming panic and flight of the enemy in Psalm 48:5 vividly echoes the miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem, most famously during Sennacherib's siege, where an unseen divine intervention caused a terrifying rout of a vast army.
c. 701 BC— this verse
Sennacherib's Siege of Jerusalem
The Assyrian king Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem, but miraculously, his army was decimated overnight by an angel, forcing him to retreat. This event is described in 2 Kings 19 and Isaiah 37.
c. 853 BC
Battle of Qarqar
A major battle where a coalition of Levantine states fought against the Assyrian Empire. While both sides claimed victory, it marked a temporary halt to Assyrian expansion westward.
c. 734-732 BC
Syro-Ephraimite War
The kings of Aram (Syria) and Israel allied to attack Judah, seeking to force King Ahaz into their anti-Assyrian coalition. Jerusalem was threatened, and Judah became a vassal of Assyria.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon exiled Jewish captives, including members of the royal family and educated elite, following his victory over Egypt. This began the period of Babylonian exile.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar finally conquered Jerusalem, destroying the city and Solomon's Temple, and exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This marked the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus of Persia conquered the Babylonian Empire. He issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
This passage describes a similar sudden and miraculous defeat of an invading army, where an angel of the Lord strikes down 185,000 Assyrians in a single night, echoing the swift and unexplained panic of the enemies in Psalm 48.
Isaiah 33:3This verse describes a future judgment where enemies are scattered and put to flight upon seeing the glory of the Lord, mirroring the 'astounded' and 'hasted away' reaction of the kings in Psalm 48.
Jeremiah 49:24Here, Damascus is struck with fear and flees upon hearing news of their defeat, illustrating the principle of sudden panic and flight in response to overwhelming news or a perceived threat, much like the enemy's reaction in Psalm 48.
Acts 4:27This New Testament passage refers to the gathering of kings and rulers against Jesus, echoing the theme of nations conspiring against God's chosen city and people, only to be confounded and overcome.
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 verse isn't just about enemies seeing Jerusalem and fleeing in fear; it highlights their astonishment stemmed from the city's appearance itself, a sight so divinely protected and awe-inspiring that it paralyzed them, like a sudden, overwhelming revelation. This isn't just about military might, but a supernatural dread that seized them before any battle even began.
This psalm recounts a stunning divine intervention where invading armies, upon seeing Jerusalem and realizing God’s power defending it, are struck with immediate panic. They had come together in alliance, expecting an easy conquest, but their advance was halted not by the city's walls or warriors, but by an overwhelming sense of awe and terror that caused them to flee in disarray. The immediate aftermath is a description of their sudden, inexplicable rout, emphasizing God's swift and decisive action in protecting His people and His holy city.
This psalm recounts a stunning divine intervention where invading armies, upon seeing Jerusalem and realizing God’s power defending it, are struck with immediate panic. They had come together in alliance, expecting an easy conquest, but their advance was halted not by the city's walls or warriors, but by an overwhelming sense of awe and terror that caused them to flee in disarray. The immediate aftermath is a description of their sudden, inexplicable rout, emphasizing God's swift and decisive action in protecting His people and His holy city.
"As soon as they saw it, they were astounded; they were in panic; they took to flight. Trembling took hold of them there, anguish as of a woman in labor. By the east wind you shattered the ships of Tarshish." — The verse isn't just about enemies seeing Jerusalem and fleeing in fear; it highlights their astonishment stemmed from the city's appearance itself, a sight so divinely protected and awe-inspiring…
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