Psalms 48:1-49:20

48:7 | Tarshish, also mentioned in the Book of Jonah (1:3; 4:2; Isa. 66:19), was probably Tartessus in southwest Spain. The place was reputed in biblical times for its fleet (Isa. 23:14; 60:9; Ezek. 27:25). The ability to wreck a great fleet with the wind was a demonstration of God’s power.

48:11 | God’s righteous purpose will bring triumph to His people when their enemies wrongly oppress them or when they themselves are the means of judgment on God’s enemies.

49:4 | The dark saying takes the form of a perplexing question in this psalm: Why does God allow the rich to oppress the poor? This question is similar to the problems addressed in the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes.