PSALM 48:4-8

Let us continue our study of this Psalm that was possibly written during Jehoshaphat’s battle with the kings of Ammon, Moab, and a great multitude of other nations. We looked last time at the subject of ‘Prior To The Battle’. This week we will look at verses 4-8, which says, “For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, and so they marveled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. Selah.”

            It is here we look at ‘The Presence In The Battle’. In verses 4-5 the Psalmist shares with us ‘The Battle Arrayed’. The enemy kings assembled themselves and ‘moved in’. The text says, “…they passed by together.” Then we are told they “…saw it,” It is here that the text tells us they ‘marveled over it’.  What is it they stood in awe of? In II Chronicles 20 we are told that Judah’s battle array was one of singers praising unto the King of Glory. When they saw it they immediately ‘moved out’. They were greatly “…troubled, and hasted away.” The enemy could not stay where God was being worshiped and praised. Oh, how our battle plans seldom involve old time Holy Ghost worship and praise of our King. My friend, I still believe if we will lift up a standard of worship the enemy will be put to flight.

            In verse 6 we find ‘The Battle Advancement’. The text tells us when they saw the battle plan of worship and praise, that fear and pain like a woman in travail struck the enemy. Our God inhabits the praises of His people. He is in charge of fear and pain. He uses these instruments in this battle to put to flight the enemies of our God. May we be reminded that God alone can only advance the battle toward victory. It is when we place Him at the center of the battle plan that we are assured of victory. They praise Him and God caused the enemy to destroy one another.

            In verse 8 we find ‘The Battle Afterwards’. We are looking at the battle in the rear view mirror so to speak. We are looking at the battle through the eyes of those who did not fight the battle but are now looking back. The text says that they heard of the battle. They have been told by those who fought how the battle went. Our text says that they also saw. They are now seeing the results of the battle and it is confirmation to the eyes of what they heard with their ears. The verses also tell us that they received their confirmation through the titles given to the God of this battle.  We find first of all His name is ‘power’, when He is called ‘The LORD of Host’. This is the title of the one who wins all battles. This alone would be enough for us to break out in worship and praise. It is bigger! The definition means to win all battles before you fight them. Our Lord wins all of His battles before He fights them. My, what a promise! The other title is one of ‘provision’. The name is God or Elohim. It is here we find the God who makes all things out of nothing. He establishes a city that will be ‘forever’. Kings of the earth establish cities but for a short time. That which the eternal King establishes will be forever.

            I close out study with verse 7 where we see ‘The Battle Arrogance’. We see that God has broken the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. Jehoshaphat found himself in the battle of II Chronicles 20, the topic of Psalm 48, because he made an affinity with Ahab the enemy of God. In II Chronicles 20:35-36 this battle is no sooner over than he has made another affinity with the world and setting sail for Tarshish. Man often learns truth the hard way. Our God was not impressed and destroyed their ships with an east wind. Let not the pride of the flesh bring us into the judgment of our God. Let us draw nigh to the presence of our Lord in all our battles. I sure do like that already won before you fight stuff. Selah. Well what do you think of that?

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