Psalms – Chapter 48

Old Testament • 21 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 48 of Psalms begins: "Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core." Across its 21 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core.

2Hear these things, all ye nations: give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world.

3All you that are earthborn, and you sons of men: both rich and poor together.

4My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding.

5I will incline my ear to a parable; I will open my proposition on the psaltery.

6Why shall I fear in the evil day? the iniquity of my heel shall encompass me.

7They that trust in their own strength, and glory in the multitude of their riches,

8No brother can redeem, nor shall man redeem: he shall not give to God his ransom,

9Nor the price of the redemption of his soul: and shall labour for ever,

10And shall still live unto the end.

11He shall not see destruction, when he shall see the wise dying: the senseless and the fool shall perish together: And they shall leave their riches to strangers:

12And their sepulchres shall be their houses for ever. Their dwelling places to all generations: they have called their lands by their names.

13And man when he was in honour did not understand; he is compared to senseless beasts, and is become like to them.

14This way of theirs is a stumblingblock to them: and afterwards they shall delight in their mouth.

15They are laid in hell like sheep: death shall feed upon them. And the just shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their help shall decay in hell from their glory.

16But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me.

17Be not thou afraid, when a man shall be made rich, and when the glory of his house shall be increased.

18For when he shall die he shall take nothing away; nor shall his glory descend with him.

19For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.

20He shall go in to the generations of his fathers: and he shall never see light.

21Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them.

Important Verses in Psalms 48

“Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core.”

Psalms 48:1

“My mouth shall speak wisdom: and the meditation of my heart understanding.”

Psalms 48:4

“But God will redeem my soul from the hand of hell, when he shall receive me.”

Psalms 48:16

“For in his lifetime his soul will be blessed: and he will praise thee when thou shalt do well to him.”

Psalms 48:19

Historical Context

Psalms addresses god's people at prayer in every age within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 48 of 150 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 21 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core." The chapter ends with: "Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them. " In terms of historical background, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

Catholic exegesis reads Psalms 48 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1604).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Psalms 48 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 48 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 2105) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 48 about?

Psalms 48 contains 21 verses. It opens with "Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core." and closes with "Man when he was in honour did not understand: he hath been compared to senseless beasts, and made like to them. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 48?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Unto the end, a psalm for the sons of Core." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Exodus 35Shares people and themes with this chapterJob 38Shares people and themes with this chapterSirach 9Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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