Psalm 47

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:4

He shall choose our inheritance for us - He has chosen or selected the land which we inherit. Of all the countries which compose the world, he has chosen “this” to be the inheritance of his own people, or the place where they should dwell. The thought in this verse is based on the idea so common in the writings of the Hebrews, that their country was the glory of all lands - the place of all on earth most desirable to dwell in. It is in view of this fact that they are here called on to praise... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:5

God is gone up with a shout - That is, he has ascended to heaven, his home and throne, after having secured the victory. He is represented as having come down to aid his people in the war by the overthrow of their enemies, and (having accomplished this) as returning to heaven, accompanied by his hosts, and amidst the shouts of triumph. All this is, of course, poetical, and is not to be regarded as literal in any sense. Compare the notes at Psalms 7:7.The Lord with the sound of a trumpet -... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:6

Sing praises to God, sing praises - This commences the “second” part of the psalm. The “repetition” shows that the heart was full, or was overflowing with joy. It is a call on all to celebrate the praises of God, especially as he had enabled his people to triumph over their enemies.Sing praises unto our King - Unto God, who has shown himself to be the King of his people - one who rules in their behalf, and who has interposed for their deliverance in danger. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:7

For God is the King of all the earth - He has shown himself to be a universal sovereign. All nations are subject to him, and he has a claim to universal praise.Sing ye praises with understanding - Margin, Every one “that hath understanding.” Neither the text here, however, nor the margin, expresses the true idea of the original. The Hebrew is, “Sing a Maschil” - משׂכיל maśkı̂yl; that is, Sing, or play, a didactic psalm or tune; that is, a song or ode adapted to convey valuable lessons of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the heathen - Over the “nations;” not over the “heathen” in the sense in which that term is understood now. It does not mean that God reigns, or that he has set up his throne over the people that have not the true religion, but that he is exalted over the “nations” of the earth as such; or, that he has universal dominion. See the notes at Psalms 46:10.God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - Upon his holy throne, The idea is, that his government is established in holiness... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:9

The princes of the people are gathered together - The marginal reading is, “The voluntary of the people are gathered unto the people of the God of Abraham.” The word rendered “princes” - נדיב nâdı̂yb - means properly, voluntary, ready, prompt; then, generous, liberal; then, those of noble birth, princes, nobles. It is evidently used here in this latter sense. The word “people” here may mean either the people of Israel, or the people of other lands; but in this place it seems evidently to... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47

A.M. 2981. B.C. 1023. This Psalm is thought by some to have been composed by David (though his name be not in the title) when he brought the ark, which was the token of God’s presence, with them, either from Kirjath-jearim, with the most solemn pomp, and all sorts of music, 2 Samuel 6:5 , or from the house of Obed-edom unto mount Zion. Others think it was composed by some of the sons of Korah, when the ark was carried by Solomon, with similar rejoicings, from mount Zion to the temple. But as... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:1-2

Psalms 47:1-2. O clap your hands, all ye people All ye tribes of Israel, or, rather, all nations, not only Jews but Gentiles; for all of them would, or might have benefit, if not by the removal of the ark to mount Zion, or to the temple, yet by that which was represented thereby, the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Shout unto God Unto the glory of the God of Israel. For the Lord most high Above all gods and men; is terrible To all his enemies; a great King over all the earth ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:3

Psalms 47:3. He shall subdue the people under us Though this may be applied to the victories which God gave the Hebrews over the neighbouring people, yet the expressions are too magnificent to signify that only. To subdue the nations, seems to indicate something more than bringing a few neighbouring countries under the Hebrew government. And God certainly never intended to bring, nor, in fact, did he bring, the nations of the earth under the yoke of the Jewish people; who were far from... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:4

Psalms 47:4. He shall choose our inheritance for us The Syriac, Arabic, and Latin, render the word יבחר , jibchar, here used, in the past time, he hath chosen, which, if understood of God’s choosing Canaan for the Israelites, and placing them in it, is certainly more proper, being according to the matter of fact. The word, however, is in the future tense, and if interpreted of the Gentiles, who were to be called into God’s church, and to receive the blessings of grace and glory for... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 47:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 47:4

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