Psalm 48:4
New International Version
When the kings joined forces, when they advanced together,

New Living Translation
The kings of the earth joined forces and advanced against the city.

English Standard Version
For behold, the kings assembled; they came on together.

Berean Standard Bible
For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together.

King James Bible
For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

New King James Version
For behold, the kings assembled, They passed by together.

New American Standard Bible
For, behold, the kings arrived, They passed by together.

NASB 1995
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

NASB 1977
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

Legacy Standard Bible
For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

Amplified Bible
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They [came and] passed by together.

Christian Standard Bible
Look! The kings assembled; they advanced together.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Look! The kings assembled; they advanced together.

American Standard Version
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They passed by together.

Contemporary English Version
Kings joined forces to attack the city,

English Revised Version
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The kings have gathered. They marched together.

Good News Translation
The kings gathered together and came to attack Mount Zion.

International Standard Version
Behold, when the kings assembled together, when they traveled together,

Majority Standard Bible
For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together.

NET Bible
For look, the kings assemble; they advance together.

New Heart English Bible
For, look, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.

Webster's Bible Translation
For lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

World English Bible
For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For behold, the kings met, they passed by together,

Young's Literal Translation
For, lo, the kings met, they passed by together,

Smith's Literal Translation
For behold, the kings met together, they passed by together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For behold, the kings of the earth have been gathered together; they have convened as one.

New American Bible
See! The kings assembled, together they advanced.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the kings assembled, they came on together.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For, lo, the kings were prepared, and they passed by together.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
For behold, Kings were prepared and they passed by together
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For, lo, the kings assembled themselves, They came onward together.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For, behold the kings of the earth were assembled, they came together.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Broken Bondage
3God is in her citadels; He has shown Himself to be a fortress. 4For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. 5They saw and were astounded; they fled in terror.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 20:22-23
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

Isaiah 33:18
Your mind will ponder the former terror: “Where is he who tallies? Where is he who weighs? Where is he who counts the towers?”

Ezekiel 38:9-11
You and all your troops, and many peoples with you will go up, advancing like a thunderstorm; you will be like a cloud covering the land. / This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. / You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a quiet people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates—

2 Kings 19:35-37
And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Isaiah 37:36-38
Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there. / One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Revelation 17:12-14
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast. / They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

Revelation 19:19-21
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. / But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. / And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

Daniel 11:40-45
At the time of the end, the king of the South will engage him in battle, but the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots, horsemen, and many ships, invading many countries and sweeping through them like a flood. / He will also invade the Beautiful Land, and many countries will fall. But these will be delivered from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites. / He will extend his power over many countries, and not even the land of Egypt will escape. ...

Judges 5:19-21
Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no plunder of silver. / From the heavens the stars fought; from their courses they fought against Sisera. / The River Kishon swept them away, the ancient river, the River Kishon. March on, O my soul, in strength!

2 Samuel 10:6-8
When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth-rehob and Zoba, as well as a thousand men from the king of Maacah and twelve thousand men from Tob. / On hearing this, David sent Joab and the entire army of mighty men. / The Ammonites marched out and arrayed themselves for battle at the entrance of the city gate, while the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

2 Chronicles 32:21
and the LORD sent an angel who annihilated every mighty man of valor and every leader and commander in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons struck him down with the sword.

Isaiah 10:8-12
“Are not all my commanders kings?” he says. / “Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? / As my hand seized the idolatrous kingdoms whose images surpassed those of Jerusalem and Samaria, ...

Jeremiah 50:41-43
Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon. / The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.

Matthew 2:1-3
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, / asking, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” / When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.

Luke 21:20-21
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city.


Treasury of Scripture

For, see, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.

Psalm 83:2-8
For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head…

2 Samuel 10:6,14,16-19
And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men…

Isaiah 7:1
And it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, went up toward Jerusalem to war against it, but could not prevail against it.

Jump to Previous
Advanced Agreement Assembled Forces Joined Kings Met Onward Passed Themselves Together
Jump to Next
Advanced Agreement Assembled Forces Joined Kings Met Onward Passed Themselves Together
Psalm 48
1. The ornaments and privileges of the church














For behold
The phrase "For behold" serves as a call to attention, urging the reader or listener to observe something significant. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "behold" is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which is used to draw focus to an important event or statement. This word is frequently used in the Bible to introduce divine actions or revelations, emphasizing the importance of what follows. In this context, it sets the stage for a momentous event involving the kings of the earth.

the kings assembled
The gathering of kings suggests a significant political or military event. The Hebrew word for "assembled" is "נֹועֲדוּ" (no'adu), which implies a deliberate and purposeful gathering. Historically, such assemblies of kings were often for war councils or alliances. In the biblical context, this could refer to historical events where multiple nations conspired against Israel, or it could symbolize the opposition of worldly powers against God's people. The assembly of kings highlights the perceived threat and the magnitude of the opposition.

they all advanced together
This phrase indicates a unified movement or action. The Hebrew root for "advanced" is "עָבַר" (avar), which can mean to pass over, go through, or advance. The unity of the kings in their advance suggests a formidable coalition, emphasizing the seriousness of the threat. However, in the broader context of Psalm 48, this unified advance is ultimately futile against the power and protection of God. The historical context may allude to specific events where enemy forces gathered against Jerusalem, only to be thwarted by divine intervention. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the ultimate futility of opposing His will.

(4) The kings.--With the striking picture of the advance and sudden collapse of a hostile expedition that follows, comp. Isaiah 10:28-34; possibly of the very same event.

The kings.--Evidently known to the writer, but, alas! matter of merest conjecture to us. Some suppose the kings of Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who attacked Jehoshaphat (2Chronicles 20:25); others, the tributary princes of Sennacherib. In his annals, as lately deciphered, this monarch speaks of setting up tributary kings or viceroys in Chaldaea, Phoenicia, and Philistia, after conquering these countries. (See Assyrian Discoveries, by George Smith, p. 303.) Others again, referring the psalm to the time of Ahaz, understand Pekah and Rezin (2Kings 15:37). The touches, vivid as they are, of the picture, are not so historically defined as to allow a settlement of the question.

Assembled.--Used of the muster of confederate forces (Joshua 11:5).

Passed by--i.e., marched by. So, according to the time reading, the LXX. A frequent military term (Judges 11:29; 2Kings 8:21; Isaiah 8:8). Others, "passed away," but it is doubtful if the verb can have this meaning. . . .

Verse 4. - For lo, the kings were assembled; they passed by together. Some see in these "kings" Sennacherib's princes, who, according to him (Isaiah 10:8), were "altogether kings." But actual monarchs, each leading his own army, seem rather to be intended.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

behold,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

the kings
הַ֭מְּלָכִים (ham·mə·lā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

assembled;
נֽוֹעֲד֑וּ (nō·w·‘ă·ḏū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

they all advanced
עָבְר֥וּ (‘ā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

together.
יַחְדָּֽו׃ (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly


Links
Psalm 48:4 NIV
Psalm 48:4 NLT
Psalm 48:4 ESV
Psalm 48:4 NASB
Psalm 48:4 KJV

Psalm 48:4 BibleApps.com
Psalm 48:4 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 48:4 Chinese Bible
Psalm 48:4 French Bible
Psalm 48:4 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Psalm 48:4 For behold the kings assembled themselves they (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 48:3
Top of Page
Top of Page