Psalms 47:1

O clap your hands, all ye people, Meaning the Gentiles more especially; see Psalms 117:1 compared with Romans 15:9; who had reason to rejoice and be glad, since the ascended Lord and King here spoken

O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Psalms 47 THE This Psalm may seem to have been composed upon the occasion of that great solemnity of carrying the ark from the house of Obed-edom into the city of Zion; of which see 2Sa 6$ 1 Chronicles 13$ 1 Chronicles 16$. But as Zion was a type of the church, and the ark a type of Christ; so this hath a further reference, even to Christ’ s ascension into heaven, and, as consequent thereunto, to the spreading of his kingdom in all the parts and nations of the world; which is the chief scope and design of the psalmist. or at least of the Holy Ghost, in this Psalm; as will plainly appear from the words and matter of it. The church is exhorted to praise God, who subdueth her enemies, , and giveth her an excellent inheritance, . A promise of calling and gathering the Gentiles, ,9. All ye people; either, 1. All the tribes of Israel; for the several tribes are sometimes called several people. See . Or, 2. All nations, not only Jews, but Gentiles; for all of them either had or might have benefit by the ark, upon their addresses to God there, and especially by Christ and his ascension. Shout unto God, in the worship and unto the glory of the God of Israel.

Psalms 47:1 « To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. » O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.A Psalm for the sons of Korah] Carmen triumphale, saith Mollerus; a panegyrical oration, saith Beza, written by David when topful of most ardent zeal, and sung by the Korites in that stately solemnity, whereat he brought at length the Lord’ s holy ark into the city of David; which gallant history is lively set forth, 2 Samuel 6:1-23 1 Chronicles 15:1-29 And the use that David doth here make of it, viz. concerning Christ’ s kingdom, and the benefits thereby, concerneth us as much, or rather more than that ancient people. The Rabbis with one consent say, that this psalm is to be understood De diebus Christi, of the days of the Messiah, who was prefigured by the ark, and should be the joy of all nations. Ver. 1. O clap your hands, all ye people] As they used to do at their king’ s coronation, 2 Kings 11:12, show your joy for and interest in Christ your King, by manifesting your righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Other joys are mixed and dearly bought, but this is sincere and gratuitous, as the prophet Isaiah setteth forth elegantly, Psalms 9:3; Psalms 9:5-7. Shout unto God, with the voice of triumph] Heb. of shrilling. God’ s praises are to be celebrated with all manner of cheerfulness; and we are to be vexed at the vile dulness of our hearts, that are no more affected and enlarged hereunto; seeing all causes of joy are found eminently in God, and he is so well worthy to be praised, Psalms 18:3. Jews and Gentiles are here jointly called upon joyfully to praise their Redeemer.

(1) Of triumph.—Or, of exultation, as LXX. and Vulg. For the hand-clapping at a time of national rejoicing, such as the coronation of a king, see 2 Kings 11:12 (comp. Psalms 98:8); and for the “shout,” comp. Numbers 23:21, “the shout of a king”; and 1 Samuel 10:24. With the Hebrews, as with our own English forefathers, this sign of popular assent, “In full acclaim, A people’s voice, The proof and echo of all human fame,” played a large and important part.

PSALM XLVII The Gentiles are invited to celebrate the praises of God as the Sovereign of the world, 1, 2. The Jews exalt in his kindness to them, 3, 4. All then join to celebrate his Majesty, as reigning over the heathen, and gathering the dispersed Jews and Gentiles together into one Church, 5-9. NOTES ON PSALM XLVII The title, "A Psalm for the sons of Korah," has nothing remarkable in it. The Psalm was probably written about the same time with the preceding, and relates to the happy state of the Jews when returned to their own land. They renewed their praises and promises of obedience, and celebrate him for the deliverance they had received. See the introduction to the preceding Psalm. Psalms 46:1 In a spiritual sense, it appears to relate to the calling of the Gentiles to be made partakers of the blessings of the Gospel with the converted Jews. Verse 1. O clap your hands, all ye people] Let both Jews and Gentiles magnify the Lord: the Jews, for being delivered from the Babylonish captivity; the Gentiles, for being called to enter into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

1–4. A summons to all nations to acknowledge Jehovah as their King. He has proved His sovereignty by subjecting the nations to His own people and assigning to it the choicest land for its inheritance.

O clap your hands, all ye people - A common way of expressing joy, or indicating applause. Compare the notes at Isaiah 55:12.

1-4. The first division of the psalm ends, (Psalms 47:4,) with a “selah;” but the theme is one throughout, namely, the universal dominion of Jehovah, of which Israel is the centre and glory.