Psalms 47

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 47

1¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

2For the LORD most high [is] terrible; [he is] a great King over all the earth.

3He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

4He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5¶ God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

6Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7For God [is] the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9The princes of the people are gathered together, [even] the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth [belong] unto God: he is greatly exalted.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 47 is a universal call to worship, urging all peoples to celebrate God's supreme kingship with shouts and praises. It declares the LORD Most High as a terrible and great King over all the earth, who subdues nations and chooses Israel's inheritance. The psalm culminates in the affirmation that God reigns over the heathen from His holy throne, greatly exalted.

Medium Summary

This psalm begins with an exhortation for all people to clap their hands and shout triumphantly to God. It proclaims the LORD Most High as a terrible and great King who rules over all the earth. The text foretells God's subduing of nations under His chosen people, Israel, and His selection of their inheritance. A vivid image is presented of God ascending with shouts and trumpet sounds, prompting a repeated call to sing praises to Him as the King of all the earth. The psalm emphasizes that God reigns over the heathen, seated upon His holy throne, and that the leaders of the nations gather, acknowledging that all authority and protection belong to Him, for He is greatly exalted.

Long Summary

Psalm 47 opens with an urgent and joyful summons for all peoples to engage in triumphant worship, urging them to clap their hands and shout unto God. The foundational reason for this universal praise is established: the LORD Most High is described as "terrible," signifying His awe-inspiring power and majesty, and as a great King reigning supremely over all the earth. The psalm then highlights God's active role in human affairs, stating His intent to subdue peoples and nations under His chosen people, Israel, and to select their inheritance, which is described as the "excellency of Jacob whom he loved." A pivotal moment is depicted in verse 5, where God is portrayed as having "gone up with a shout" and "the LORD with the sound of a trumpet," suggesting either a literal ascension, a triumphal procession, or a metaphorical enthronement. This ascent reinforces His sovereign rule, leading to a fervent, repeated command to "sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises." The psalm reiterates God's universal dominion, declaring Him "the King of all the earth," and instructs worshippers to sing praises "with understanding." It firmly asserts that God "reigneth over the heathen" and "sitteth upon the throne of his holiness," underscoring His absolute and righteous authority. Finally, the psalm concludes by noting that the princes of the people, even those who are part of the "people of the God of Abraham," are gathered together, recognizing that "the shields of the earth belong unto God," signifying that all power, protection, and authority ultimately reside with Him, as He is "greatly exalted."

Core Concepts

  • Universal SovereigntyGod is declared "a great King over all the earth" and "King of all the earth," emphasizing His absolute dominion not just over Israel but over all nations and peoples.
  • Triumphant WorshipThe psalm begins and ends with calls for joyful and loud praise, instructing all people to "clap your hands" and "shout unto God with the voice of triumph," reflecting a celebratory acknowledgment of His power.
  • Divine Enthronement/AscensionVerse 5 describes God "gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet," which can be interpreted as a depiction of His ascension to His holy throne or a triumphal procession signifying His reign.
  • God's Choice of IsraelThe text states God "shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved," highlighting His special covenant relationship and favor towards Israel.
  • Subduing of NationsGod is portrayed as actively subduing "the people under us, and the nations under our feet," indicating His power to establish His chosen people and overcome their adversaries.
  • God's Holiness and ThroneThe psalm affirms that "God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness," underscoring His righteous and sacred rule from His exalted position.
  • Divine Authority over RulersThe phrase "the shields of the earth belong unto God" signifies that all earthly authority, protection, and power, including that of kings and princes, ultimately derive from and are subject to God.