Psalms 47

This psalm is a call for all the nations to celebrate God as King of the whole earth. It pictures God going up to His throne with trumpets and shouts. It ends with the rulers of the nations gathered as the people of Abraham’s God.

Psalms 47:1

The psalm opens with a call to noisy, glad worship, and it is addressed to every people, not only Israel. Clapping and shouting were the way a crowd welcomed a king. God’s rule is good news worth cheering for.

BSA: Clap (“with joyful enthusiasm”): The clapping is not polite applause but eager, wholehearted gladness. triumph (“victory, joyful praise”): The shout celebrates a victory God has already won.

See also: Psalm 98:4-6.

Psalms 47:2

Here is the reason for the joy: the LORD is Most High and King over all the earth. His power is so great that it rightly fills us with awe. No nation or ruler stands outside His authority.

BSA: awesome (“fearful, awe-inspiring”): God’s greatness inspires reverent wonder, not just admiration.

Hebrew: נוֹרָא (nora, H3372) — “to be feared, awe-inspiring.” The word comes from the root for fear. It describes someone whose majesty makes people stand in reverent wonder.

Psalms 47:3

God gives Israel victory over the peoples who stood in their way, as He did when they entered the land. The verse speaks of God’s action for His people, not of their own strength. The image of enemies under the feet is one of complete defeat.

BSA: subdues (“leads, puts down”): God brings opposing peoples into submission, and He is the one who does it.

See also: Joshua 10:24.

Psalms 47:4

God chose the land that Israel would live in, and He chose it out of love. The inheritance was a gift, not something they earned. Believers have long seen in this a picture of the good portion God Himself gives to those He loves.

BSA: inheritance (“heritage, birthright”): It is a gift received from a father, not wages earned. loves (“dearly, with affection”): God’s choice of Jacob’s people came from warm affection.

See also: Deuteronomy 7:7-8.

Psalms 47:5

God is pictured going up to His throne like a king returning in triumph, with shouts and trumpet blasts. The horn was the ram’s horn, sounded at coronations and great occasions. Christians also hear in this an echo of Christ’s ascension.

BSA: ascended (“gone up with triumph”): The going up is a victor’s procession, not a retreat.

Hebrew: עָלָה (alah, H5927) — “went up, ascended.” This is the ordinary Hebrew word for going up, as to Jerusalem or to a throne. Here it carries the sense of a king taking his rightful seat.

See also: Acts 1:9-11; Ephesians 4:8.

Psalms 47:6

The call to sing is repeated four times. The repetition shows that praise is urgent and that it should not stop. Praise is owed to God both as God and as our King, who rules us and cares for us.

BSA: praises (“hymns of adoration”): These are songs of worship, not casual singing.

Hebrew: זַמְּרוּ (zammeru, H2167) — “sing praise, make music.” The word often suggests singing with instruments. It is repeated like a drumbeat to build the celebration.

Psalms 47:7

This verse repeats the reason for praise: God is King of all the earth. It also asks for praise with understanding, not just noise. We are to sing thoughtfully, knowing who He is and why He is worthy.

BSA: profound praises (“with knowledge, from the heart”): Worship should come from real understanding and a sincere heart.

Hebrew: מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil, H4905) — “with insight, skillfully, with understanding.” The word means a song of insight. We are asked to praise with our minds engaged as well as our voices.

See also: 1 Corinthians 14:15.

Psalms 47:8

God reigns now, over all the nations. His throne is holy, so His rule is pure and just and not like the rule of earthly tyrants. He is firmly seated, and no one can remove Him.

BSA: holy (“set apart, sacred”): His throne stands apart from every human power, and His rule is morally pure.

See also: Psalm 93:1-2.

Psalms 47:9

The psalm ends with a wide picture: the leaders of the nations gather alongside the people of Abraham’s God. God had promised Abraham that all peoples would be blessed through him. The earth’s rulers are called shields, and they belong to God, who is highly exalted above them all.

BSA: shields (“defenders, protectors”): Rulers are meant to protect their people, but they answer to God, who is the true protector. assembled (“gathered together”): The nations come together to join God’s people, not to fight against them.

See also: Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:8.