“They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away.”
The description of kings' amazement and their hurrying away establishes the psychological and emotional response to encountering Zion. The specific mention of trembling upon seeing the city suggests that fear overcomes the foreign monarchs; they experience not confidence but dread. The image of kings hurrying away suggests their retreat and the failure of their hostile purposes. The emphasis on their emotional reaction suggests that the city's appearance and apparent divine protection produce fear that paralyzes aggression. This verse depicts the reversal of military threat through divine intervention and the enemies' recognition of their futility.
Church Fathers on Psalms 48:5
1. The title of this Psalm is, “A song of praise, to the sons of Korah, on the second day of the week.” Concerning this what the Lord deigns to grant receive ye like sons of the firmament. For on the second day of the week, that is, the day after the first which we call the Lord's day, which also is called the second week-day, was made the firmament of Heaven. Genesis 1:6-8 ...The second day of the week then we ought not to understand but of the Church of Christ: but the…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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