Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
The psalm to which this verse belongs was composed by the sons of Korah, Ezra, and others at the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity in the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia. In that setting it gives voice to the mingled joy, sorrow, and anxiety filling the minds of the returning exiles. It refers to the building and dedication of the second temple and to the glorious triumphs connected with that work.
The trembling and anguish like the pangs of a woman in labor seized the kings who gathered themselves against Zion. They were the enemies who rose up against Jerusalem. This befell them because Jerusalem was the dwelling-place of the Lord, the capital city of His spiritual kingdom and the center from which His light and salvation were to go forth to the whole world. It befell them also because God had made Himself known in her palaces for a refuge. He remained her all-sufficient protection so long as His people stayed loyal and kept spiritual union with Him through the sanctuary.
The psalm also looks forward to the future establishment of God's kingdom on earth. Then the redeemed will triumph over death and God will reign as King over all the earth. What the fear and pain denote in that future fulfillment is left without further explanation.
The psalm to which this verse belongs was composed by the sons of Korah, Ezra, and others at the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity in the reign of Cyrus, king of Persia. In that setting it gives voice to the mingled joy, sorrow, and anxiety filling the minds of the returning exiles. It refers to the building and dedication of the second temple and to the glorious triumphs connected with that work.
The trembling and anguish like the pangs of a woman in labor seized the kings who gathered themselves against Zion. They were the enemies who rose up against Jerusalem. This befell them because Jerusalem was the dwelling-place of the Lord, the capital city of His spiritual kingdom and the center from which His light and salvation were to go forth to the whole world. It befell them also because God had made Himself known in her palaces for a refuge. He remained her all-sufficient protection so long as His people stayed loyal and kept spiritual union with Him through the sanctuary.
The psalm also looks forward to the future establishment of God's kingdom on earth. Then the redeemed will triumph over death and God will reign as King over all the earth. What the fear and pain denote in that future fulfillment is left without further explanation.