Bible Commentaries
Psalms 47

Verses 1-9

To the chief musician, a psalm for the sons of Korah, written by one of their number at the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, as a prophecy of the victory and exaltation of Messiah to the right hand of Power.

v. 1. O clap your hands, all ye people, the congregation of Jehovah being addressed with the summons to express their unbounded joy in a gesture of exultation which could not be repressed; shout unto God with the voice of triumph, in joyful acclaim of His majesty and glory.

v. 2. For the Lord most high is terrible, to be feared, to be regarded with awe and reverence; He is a great King over all the earth, having dominion over all creatures, but ruling especially His Church with His grace and mercy.

v. 3. He shall subdue the people under us, placing them in subjection to the Church by a spiritual victory, and the nations under our feet, the vanquished cheerfully joining the ranks of the victors in giving reverence to the King.

v. 4. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the blessings imparted to His children by the manifestation of His grace, the excellency of Jacob whom He loved, the pride and glory of His Church, the bliss and joy of glorious perfection in heaven throughout eternity. Selah. All believers, whether they belong to Israel according to the flesh, or whether they have been gained from the ranks of heathendom, will share in the glorious blessings gained by Christ and enjoy their happiness, world without end. The reason for this wonderful outburst of joy is now given.

v. 5. God is gone up with a shout, the holy singers in the spirit see God ascend up on high with jubilation, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet, for this was the instrument used on all joyful festivals of Israel. On account of this act of God-Jehovah the urgent cry now goes forth to men.

v. 6. Sing praises to God, sing praises, psalms of joyful thanksgiving; sing praises unto our King, sing praises, for God on high and the King of His Church are here identified.

v. 7. For God is the King of all the earth, the King, by His marvelous exaltation, has shown Himself the God of all the earth. Sing ye praises with understanding, bringing out the joyful feelings of their heart with the proper professional skill, to express their deepest feelings.

v. 8. God reigneth over the heathen, the reign of the exalted Christ, in the Kingdom of Power. extends over the entire universe; God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness, at the right hand of Power in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:20.

v. 9. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham, rather, to this people, the great and mighty ones of the earth joining the nation of Abraham's God, united with the spiritual Israel of all times; for the shields of the earth belong unto God. all weapons of war must be lowered before Him; He is greatly exalted, since He conquers with the power of His majestic mercy, through the Word of His grace. There can be no doubt, from the entire song, that the reference is to Jehovah-God, to the Messiah, in the exaltation following His deep humiliation. This exaltation was particularly emphasized before men in His visible ascension, followed by His sitting at the right hand of God, His heavenly Father. As a consequence and fruit of this exaltation He is continually adding new members to His spiritual Israel, to the congregation of believers, from all nations and peoples of the world, all of which unite in singing His praises, world without end.