Bible Commentaries
Psalms 47

Verses 1-9

Psalms 47

The King of the Earth In Triumph

Scripture v. 1-9:

This Psalm calls men to shout praises to God, as if He were a reigning King, returning from a battle of triumph. Our Lord has defeated Satan in the battlefield of death, and come forth in victory to say, "If death takes you, it can not hold you," Hebrews 2:14-15.

Verses 1, 2 called upon Israel to: 1) Clap their hands, and 2) shout with their voices, because their king had triumphed in battle over their enemies who sought to destroy them, Isaiah 55:12. Even so should the redeemed of the Lord rejoice at His victory over Satan and death, Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 1:18; Psalms 107:2. The Lord most High is described as ’terrible," in His judgment over His enemies, Psalms 68:35; Deuteronomy 7:21; Nehemiah 1:5: Psalms 76:12. He is certified to be a great King, (absolute ruler) over all the earth, as set forth, Malachi 1:14.

Verses 3 declares that "He shall subdue (subordinate) the people, all other than Israel, under us," of verse 1, who were to praise Him, even all the heathen nations or people, Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalms 18:38; Psalms 18:47; Psalms 18:49. This is a work of judgment, too late for grace, Isaiah 60:14-15; Isaiah 62:10-12; Isaiah 63:1-4.

Verse 4 pledges that "He shall choose our inheritance for us," as the "excellency of Jacob, whom He loved," above Esau, "Selah", pause and digest it, find spiritual nourishment in it. He shall do this by recovering it from Gentile powers; for Israel’s pledged, covenant inheritance, 2 Chronicles 20:11; Deuteronomy 4:38. His everlasting love was and is the basis of His choosing, both to save all men, and to give special blessings and rewards to Israel, and to His church of this age, Psalms 78:68; Malachi 1:2; John 15:17; John 3:16; Ephesians 5:25; Ephesians 3:21.

Verse 5 adds that God has "gone up" with a shout, a shout of tri­umph, v.1, over all His enemies upon the earth, both in the resurrection, and as He returns, going up to Zion to sit on His throne, Acts 1:4-11, Psalms 68:24-25.

Verse 6 continues to call on Israel as in v. 1, to sing praises to God, repeatedly, "unto our King," continually to sing praises of joy and rejoicing, because of His coming reign over His people and all the earth as "King of kings and Lord of lords," Revelation 19:11-16; Daniel 7:13-14; Jeremiah 3:17.

Verse 7 extols the King of all the earth as "God," the Elohim, the personal man-God of all power, of both dynamic and administrative, adjudicating power, Zechariah 14:9. In the person of His Son. Jesus Christ, as expressed John 3:35; John 5:22; John 5:27. The word exhorts again, "Sing ye praises with understanding," or "spiritual discernment" as only a spiritual person can, 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; 1 Corinthians 14:15-16.

Verse 8 asserts that this God-King, the Messiah, Jesus Christ "reigneth over the heathen," continually, without cessation or end. For God, as King, continually "sits on the throne of His holiness," in all His acts and deeds, reigning in righteousness, to the glory of God the Father, Luke 1:31-35; 1 Corinthians 15:24-29; To Him men are ever to sing with edification or spiritual wisdom, Colossians 3:16.

Verse 9 concludes that the princes of the people (of the masses) even the "people of God of Abraham," are gathering together, even the Arabic people flock to be received by Jehovah as their Shiloh or Hebrew "Shalom," their peace-giving-one, Genesis 49:9-10; Psalms 87:4; Isaiah 60:3-8; Genesis 12; Genesis 3; Genesis 22:18. The "shields" refer to the protectors of their people, the Divinely appointed rulers, who rule in obedience to God, Hosea 4:18. For God is to be greatly exalted above all men, earthly, and heavenly rulers, even above Michael and Gabriel, Revelation 19:11-16; Psalms 89:18.