O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
Psalms 47 is a powerful and joyous song calling all nations to praise God, recognizing Him as the sovereign King over all the earth. It resonates with themes of victory, dominion, and the ultimate reign of God, offering both immediate encouragement and prophetic glimpses of the Messiah's future kingdom. This psalm invites us to actively participate in the worldwide worship of the Almighty.
Context and Possible Historical Background
Understanding the historical backdrop can illuminate the meaning of Psalms 47. While its exact origins are debated, some scholars suggest it may have been composed to celebrate a specific victory in Israel's history. Two prominent possibilities stand out.
One possibility is the miraculous deliverance of Jehoshaphat, as described in 2 Chronicles 20. When a vast coalition of nations threatened Judah, God intervened and routed the enemy without Israel having to fight (2_Chronicles 20:22–26). The language used in that account bears striking similarities to phrases found in Psalms 47 (2_Chronicles 20:6–7, 2_Chronicles 20:21, 2_Chronicles 20:24–30), making this a compelling possibility.
Another suggestion is the defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army during the reign of Hezekiah (2_Kings 19). In this instance, God miraculously intervened to protect Jerusalem from a seemingly invincible foe.
Regardless of the specific historical event that inspired it, Psalms 47 transcends its immediate context, pointing to the universal reign of God and the futureMessianic kingdom.
A Universal Call to Praise (Psalms 47:1-2)
The psalm opens with an urgent and inclusive call to worship: "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy" (Psalms 47:1). This isn't a call limited to Israel; it's an invitation extended to "all you nations," emphasizing the universality of God's sovereignty. The imagery of clapping and shouting expresses enthusiastic and unreserved adoration. The psalmist urges all nations to rejoice in the worship of God, recognizing that He alone is King over the whole earth. He is the Most High, exalted above everything and everyone in His creation, deserving of our utmost reverence and praise. He is to be feared – that is, taken seriously – by all and paid homage.
God's Sovereign Rule and Victory (Psalms 47:3-4)
The psalm proclaims God's dominion over the nations: "He subdues nations under us, peoples under our feet" (Psalms 47:3). This likely refers to God's past victories on behalf of Israel, such as when He chose Israel as His special people (Psalms 47:4), brought them into the promised land, and drove out Canaan’s inhabitants before them. He is the one who chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. These victories demonstrate His power and authority over all peoples. This verse underscores that God is not merely a local deity but the King of all the earth, actively involved in shaping history and fulfilling His purposes.
Ascending to His Throne (Psalms 47:5-7)
The psalm celebrates God's ascension to His throne: "God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets" (Psalms 47:5). This verse evokes a powerful image of God taking His rightful place as King. The exhortation to "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises" (Psalms 47:6) reinforces the importance of worship and adoration. He is worthy of all acclamation. As Creator of the whole earth, He is its King (Psalms 47:7). Therefore, He deserves to be exalted by His creation and especially by the people to whom He has shown special favor.
God's Kingdom Extends to All (Psalms 47:8-9)
The psalm concludes with a vision of God reigning over all nations: "God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne" (Psalms 47:8). The imagery here suggests all the people and cultures of the world coming to loyal worship of the God of Abraham (Revelation 7:9). All earthly leaders will submit to the Lord’s sovereign rule (Psalms 47:9). As Paul testifies in Philippians 2:10-11, one day “every knee will bow . . . and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” God’s people are to put into practice now what will eventually be true worldwide: submission to God’s kingdom agenda, the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life. Those who do not bow voluntarily to Christ and his kingdom now will be forced to do so mandatorily later. This is not just a future hope; it's a call to acknowledge God's kingship in the present, living in obedience and anticipation of His ultimate reign. In the end times, the entire world will be united under the rule of the Messiah.
Psalms 47 is a timeless reminder of God's sovereignty and a compelling invitation to participate in His global kingdom. It encourages us to lift our voices in praise, acknowledging Him as the King of all the earth, and to live in anticipation of the day when all nations will bow before Him.
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
Psalms 47 is a powerful and joyous song calling all nations to praise God, recognizing Him as the sovereign King over all the earth. It resonates with themes of victory, dominion, and the ultimate reign of God, offering both immediate encouragement and prophetic glimpses of the Messiah's future kingdom. This psalm invites us to actively participate in the worldwide worship of the Almighty.
Context and Possible Historical Background
Understanding the historical backdrop can illuminate the meaning of Psalms 47. While its exact origins are debated, some scholars suggest it may have been composed to celebrate a specific victory in Israel's history. Two prominent possibilities stand out.
One possibility is the miraculous deliverance of Jehoshaphat, as described in 2 Chronicles 20. When a vast coalition of nations threatened Judah, God intervened and routed the enemy without Israel having to fight (2_Chronicles 20:22–26). The language used in that account bears striking similarities to phrases found in Psalms 47 (2_Chronicles 20:6–7, 2_Chronicles 20:21, 2_Chronicles 20:24–30), making this a compelling possibility.
Another suggestion is the defeat of Sennacherib's Assyrian army during the reign of Hezekiah (2_Kings 19). In this instance, God miraculously intervened to protect Jerusalem from a seemingly invincible foe.
Regardless of the specific historical event that inspired it, Psalms 47 transcends its immediate context, pointing to the universal reign of God and the futureMessianic kingdom.
A Universal Call to Praise (Psalms 47:1-2)
The psalm opens with an urgent and inclusive call to worship: "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy" (Psalms 47:1). This isn't a call limited to Israel; it's an invitation extended to "all you nations," emphasizing the universality of God's sovereignty. The imagery of clapping and shouting expresses enthusiastic and unreserved adoration. The psalmist urges all nations to rejoice in the worship of God, recognizing that He alone is King over the whole earth. He is the Most High, exalted above everything and everyone in His creation, deserving of our utmost reverence and praise. He is to be feared – that is, taken seriously – by all and paid homage.
God's Sovereign Rule and Victory (Psalms 47:3-4)
The psalm proclaims God's dominion over the nations: "He subdues nations under us, peoples under our feet" (Psalms 47:3). This likely refers to God's past victories on behalf of Israel, such as when He chose Israel as His special people (Psalms 47:4), brought them into the promised land, and drove out Canaan’s inhabitants before them. He is the one who chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. These victories demonstrate His power and authority over all peoples. This verse underscores that God is not merely a local deity but the King of all the earth, actively involved in shaping history and fulfilling His purposes.
Ascending to His Throne (Psalms 47:5-7)
The psalm celebrates God's ascension to His throne: "God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets" (Psalms 47:5). This verse evokes a powerful image of God taking His rightful place as King. The exhortation to "Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises" (Psalms 47:6) reinforces the importance of worship and adoration. He is worthy of all acclamation. As Creator of the whole earth, He is its King (Psalms 47:7). Therefore, He deserves to be exalted by His creation and especially by the people to whom He has shown special favor.
God's Kingdom Extends to All (Psalms 47:8-9)
The psalm concludes with a vision of God reigning over all nations: "God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne" (Psalms 47:8). The imagery here suggests all the people and cultures of the world coming to loyal worship of the God of Abraham (Revelation 7:9). All earthly leaders will submit to the Lord’s sovereign rule (Psalms 47:9). As Paul testifies in Philippians 2:10-11, one day “every knee will bow . . . and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” God’s people are to put into practice now what will eventually be true worldwide: submission to God’s kingdom agenda, the visible manifestation of the comprehensive rule of God over every area of life. Those who do not bow voluntarily to Christ and his kingdom now will be forced to do so mandatorily later. This is not just a future hope; it's a call to acknowledge God's kingship in the present, living in obedience and anticipation of His ultimate reign. In the end times, the entire world will be united under the rule of the Messiah.
Psalms 47 is a timeless reminder of God's sovereignty and a compelling invitation to participate in His global kingdom. It encourages us to lift our voices in praise, acknowledging Him as the King of all the earth, and to live in anticipation of the day when all nations will bow before Him.