Salmos 48
John Chrysostom · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
Salmos 48:1
While they say "great," they do not go so far as to say how great; no one knows that, after all, so he added as well, "and highly to be praised." There is no limit, you see, to his greatness. What it means, however, is something like this: It is necessary to praise him and sing to him alone, and this to an extraordinary degree; but the need is to sing his praises both for this infinite and incomprehensible greatness of his being and for the excess of his beneficence to us. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:1
Salmos 48:2
For what reason, tell me, does he now mention the north and describe to us the location of the place? Because from that quarter war generally broke out with the invasion of savages, and generally the inspired authors mention it, calling it "from the north," and speak in terms of a cauldron boiling from that direction.… This city generally vulnerable from that quarter you made impregnable. In other words, just as if someone were to say about the body, "That weak part I made stronger," he too is suggesting the same in this verse in the words, "The quarters from which come wailing and weeping," the basis of disasters, these parts run over with satisfaction, with tranquility; [the place from which] come threats and fears and dangers, [from them come] delight and happiness. No one any longer fears that northern part of creation, no one is anguished, no one is suspicious. All enjoy happiness, for you root it in satisfaction. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:1
Salmos 48:4
At this point he is describing a harsh war concerted from every direction and a famous victory. You see, after he said that God comes to [the city's] aid and gives evidence of great care, he then shows also how he came to its aid. When countless nations made an attack (this he suggests, note, in mentioning the great number of kings), and not simply an attack but concerted and combined, such extraordinary developments occurred that they departed, marveling at the surprising turn of events.… Thus it is clear that instead of the war being conducted in terms of human logic, it was God whose tactics directed the fighting, who not only depressed the enemies' spirits but also shook their resolve by causing distress in their ranks and prompting an unspeakable fear in them. It was the same as if a great fleet had assembled and an unfavorable wind came on them and smashed the ships, sank the triremes and instilled instant disorder. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:2
Salmos 48:8
So what did he hear, and what did he see? That the grace of God renders the city stronger and intact. This, in fact, is its foundation, this its strength, this makes it impregnable—not human aid and help, or the power of weapons or towers and ramparts. What instead? God rules it as his own. This most of all it was, in fact, that they should have been taught, and towards this the inspired author constantly urges them. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:3
Salmos 48:10
As it belongs to fire to heat, to the sun to give light, just so as well the role of benefactor belongs to him—not in the same manner, however, but even much more. Thus he spoke also this way, "Your right hand is filled with righteousness," suggesting abundance, relation to his being. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:3
Salmos 48:13
The psalmist exhorts the people, "Behold this city." … Understand something from … its structure, its beauty, its fame, so as to learn from this God's power, how he made the lost city more mighty, and recount to your progeny God's power and the enduring course of his providence; his care of us, his leadership and shepherding last forever. Stories of this to those who come after will, in fact, prove an occasion for great advance in wisdom, a basis for more precise knowledge of God and a study of virtue. — COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS 48:3