Bible Commentaries
Psalms 47

Verses 1-9

This is a song of the sovereignty of God. In the Hebrew ceremonial it was pre-eminently the song of the New Year, being repeated seven times ere the sounding of the trumpets which announce the feast.

It opens with an appeal to the peoples to unite in His adoration as the one supreme Ruler. The singer has a true sense of the real mission of the chosen as the appointed rulers of the peoples. Their song is called for, and therefore it is plain that their subjugation is looked on as beneficent to them as well as to Israel. The appeal is renewed to praise the uplifted and enthroned King. A prophetic vision of the ultimate recognition of the Throne of God concludes the psalm.

It has a wide outlook. Not the one nation only, but a11 the princes are seen submissive to His rule and so become the people of the God of Abraham. This is the true note of rejoicing. Not merely is the safety of the one city the cause of gladness, but the gathering together under the one all-beneficent reign of God of all the peoples. This is rejoicing in hope of the glory of God, far more spacious and perfect than any satisfaction in personal deliverance or safety. If our joy is to be all it ought to be, we must have this largest outlook on the purposes of God.