Psalms 47

A triumph-Psalm of the Church to the honour of their King Jesus Christ, for his ascension to Heaven, typified by the bringing up of the Ark of the Covenant into Sion, and into the Temple: with an exhortation to all Nations, and a Prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles.

1. A Psalm, for the chief Song-master. [See Psalm 4.on verse 1.] among the children of Korah [see Psalm 42.on verse 1.]

2. All ye Nations clap in the hand: [Hebr. The palm; in token of Joy and cheerful acclamation, compare Psalms 98:8. 2 King.11.verse 12.] shout to God with a voice of a joyous song.

3. For the LORD, the most high is dreadful: a great King over all the earth.

4. He bringeth the people, (plural.) under us; [Or, shall bring the people under us, or subdue, or bring on, lead on, ordain, appoint; understand not onely the bodily subjection of the heathen at that time; but the spiritual likewise under the new Testament, whereof John 10:16. Acts 2:39.etc.] and the Nations under our feet.

5. He chuseth for us our inheritance; [Or, shall chuse &c. Here both may be understood as well the earthly, Canaan, as the heavily: the first they possessed, the second they expected by faith and hope. Heb.11.v.15.16.] the glory of Jacob, [or the highness, excellency, stateliness; such as were with them, the Kingdom, the Priesthood, the Temple, etc. Together with the glorious spiritual goods, thereby signified.] Whom he loved, [and out of love chose; or loveth, understanding by Jacob, the people of Israel.] Sela. [See Psal.3.on v.3.]

6. God ascendeth with shouting: [Or is ascended, gone up, come up, marched up, as was done, when the Ark (Whereon God did shew his presence, and which was a type of Christ) was by David fetched up to Sion 2. Sam.6.15. 1. Chron.13.8. and 15.28. and afterwards by Salomon brought into the Temple.2. Chron.5. and then especially, when the LORD Christ himself went up to heaven, Luke 24:51.52. from thence to rule and govern all, as King comp. Psalms 2:6.8,9. And Ps.110.] the LORD with resounding of the Trumpet.

7. Sing Psalms to God, sing Psalms; sing Psalms to our God, sig Psalms.

8. For God is a King of all the earth: sing Psalms with an instruction. [Heb. Maskil. Psalm 32.on v.1. Oth. Every one that is wise, or understanding; ye understand (ones.) Item, understandingly, with mutual instruction. Col.3.16. or, an instructing Psalm, or Psalm of instruction.]

9. God reigneth over the heathen: [Comp. Psal.22.29.] God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

10. The Nobles of the Nations [Or the voluntary ones, on free willing, that offer or proffer themselves, Voluntiers (as the vulgar calls them) the liberal; which name is given to Princes and Nobles, because that nothing so much becomes and commends them as free heartedness and liberality. See Job.12.on v.21.] are gathered (to) the people of the God of Abraham: [those, namely, which hath the faith of Abraham, Rom.4.6. unto whom God had made the promise, that in his seed all Nations should be blessed; which had a special regard to the calling of the Gentiles, whereof the Psalm also speaketh in this place. Compare Psalm 22.v.28.29,30,31. Eph.2.v.13.18,19. And 3.6. or thus. The Nobles of the Nations are gathered, (to wit) the people of the God of Abraham:] For the shields of the earth are Gods. [That is, the perfect, or all the defence and protection of men in general, and of his people in particular, belongs alone to God, the sole and true protector and defender. Comp.Psalms 89:19. 1. Tim.4.10. Which also renders him worthy of all honour laud and praise. This may likewise be understood of, and applicable to Magistrates and Governors in the world, whom God hath put and appointed as shields to protect the Church; Comp. Hos.4.18. The hearts of those, he so hath in his hands, that he can make them willing, to be admitted to the Communion of his Church, as was said in the beginning of this verse] He is much exalted.]