Psalm 47

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:6-7

The faculty and duty of praise. "Sing praises." Every command of God implies power to obey. True, God often tells us to do what we have no power of ourselves to do; but then he gives power. When Jesus bade the lame Walk, the blind see, the paralytic to take up the bed he lay on, and the very dead to come out of the grave, power went with his word. On the other hand, every faculty or power with which God has endowed us implies some duty in which we are to glorify him. Thus the faculty of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:7

For God is the King of all the earth (comp. Psalms 47:2 ). Sing ye praises with understanding; literally, sing a psalm of instruction. As Hengstenberg remarks, "Every song in praise of God, on account of God, on account of his glorious deeds, contains a rich treasure of instruction and improvement." Here the special instruction is that God is King over the whole earth, that he reigns over the heathen, and that the heathen shall also some time or other own his sovereignty. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:7

Universal dominion. "God is King of all the earth." We must beware of making too wide a chasm between our sabbath rest and our daily work; devotion and daily duty. The risk is double—of making our religion unreal, and our daily work irreligious. A devout Christian may be tempted to say, "Do not talk to me from the pulpit about earth; talk about heaven! I must launch out again into the rough sea of business and politics to-morrow; let not even the ground-swell disturb the peaceful haven."... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:7

Christianity the faith of all nations. Judaism was not fitted for universality. Its rites, its laws as to meats and drinks, its localization of worship, gave it the character of a national rather than a universal religion. Yet it was by Hebrew prophets that the idea of a universal religion was propounded. Taught of God, they were able to rise above what was local and exclusive, and to rejoice in foresight of the latter-day glory, when Jehovah should be "King of all the earth." The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the heathen. God had manifested his kingly power over the heathen by subduing great numbers of them, and making them subject to Israel. He would one day manifest it still more by bringing all nations into his Church. God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness . The throne from which he exercises a just, a righteous, and a holy rule. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:9

The princes of the people (literally, princes of peoples ) are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham ; rather, to be the people of the God of Abraham (Revised Version)— i.e. to form, together with Israel, the one people, or Church, of God (comp. Isaiah 49:18-23 ). For the shields of the earth belong unto God. The "shields" are the "princes" of the first clause, those whose business it is to protect and defend their subjects (comp. Hosea 4:18 ). The... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47

This psalm is entitled, “To the chief Musician, a psalm for (margin, of) the sons of Korah.” On the phrase “To the chief Musician,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 4:1-8. On the phrase “For the sons of Korah,” see the notes at the title to Psalms 42:1-11.The occasion on which the psalm was composed, and the name of the author, are alike unknown. It is a triumphal psalm, and was composed apparently on some occasion of “victory” over enemies, with reference to a triumphal procession.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:1

O clap your hands, all ye people - A common way of expressing joy, or indicating applause. Compare the notes at Isaiah 55:12. The “people” here referred to are probably the Jewish people, and the call on them is to rejoice, with the customary marks of joy, in view of the great victory which God had gained over their enemies.Shout unto God - Make a joyful noise in praise of God; that is, in acknowledgment that this victory has been gained by his interposition.With a voice of triumph - With such... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:2

For the Lord most high - Yahweh, the Most High God; that is, who is exalted above all other beings. Compare Exodus 18:11; 1 Chronicles 16:25 Psa 96:4; 2 Chronicles 2:5; Psalms 95:3.Is terrible - literally, is to be feared; that is, reverenced and adored. There is an idea in the words “terrible” and “terror” which is not contained in the original, as if there were something harsh, severe, stern, in his character. The word in the original does not go beyond the notion of inspiring reverence or... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:3

He shall subdue the people under us - Compare Psalms 18:39, note; Psalms 18:47, note. The word rendered “subdue” is that which commonly means” to speak.” The idea in the use of this word here is that he has only to speak and it is done (compare Psalms 33:9), or that he could do it by a word. Compare, however, on the use of the word here, Gesenius (Lexicon), on the word - דבר dâbar, 2, Hiphil.And the nations under our feet - That is, they shall be entirely or effectually subdued. See Psalms... read more

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