Psalm 47:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 47:1-4

The psalmist, having his own heart filled with great and good thoughts of God, endeavours to engage all about him in the blessed work of praise, as one convinced that God is worthy of all blessing and praise, and as one grieved at his own and others? backwardness to and barrenness in this work. Observe, in these verses, I. Who are called upon to praise God: ?All you people, all you people of Israel;? those were his own subjects, and under his charge, and therefore he will engage them to praise... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 47:2

For the Lord most high is terrible ,.... Christ is not only the Son of the Highest, but he himself is the most high God, God over all, blessed for ever. He is higher than the highest, than the angels in heaven, or any of the sons of men on earth. He is the high and lofty One, that dwells in the high and lofty place. And even this character agrees with him as the ascended Lord and King in his human nature; he is ascended on high, is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. He is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 47:2

For the Lord most high is terrible - He has insufferable majesty, and is a great King - the mightiest of all emperors, for he is Sovereign over the whole earth. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 47:2

Verse 2 Since, then, no servitude is happy and desirable but that by which God subdues and brings under the standard and authority of Christ his Son those who before were rebels, it follows that this language is applicable only to the kingdom of Christ, who is called a high and terrible King, (verse 2;) not that he makes the wretched beings over whom he reigns to tremble by the tyranny and violence of his sway, but because his majesty, which before had been held in contempt, will suffice to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:1-9

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:1-9

A song for all the peoples! That it is possible this psalm may have been penned immediately after some specific victory, such as that of Jehoshaphat over the formidable combination of peoples that came up against him ( 2 Chronicles 20:1-37 .), we may admit; but we can scarcely understand how the peoples should have been invited to clap their hands at their own humiliating defeat. And it seems to us altogether unworthy of the sublime elevation of this psalm to look at it solely, or even... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:1-9

The universal King. The Lord is here set forth as "King over all the earth." His government commands— I. THE HOMAGE OF THE INTELLECT . "The Most High" is the Maker of heaven and earth. He is infinitely wise and holy and powerful. Not dependent upon other beings, he rules singly and done, in supreme majesty. Reason, therefore, not only confesses his right, but his fitness. Here is the repose of the mind in a perfect King. II. THE ACQUIESCENCE OF THE CONSCIENCE .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:1-9

The universal sovereignty of God. The occasion of the psalm was, according to Psalms 47:3 , an overthrow of many heathen peoples by the visible interposition of God, who had leagued themselves against Israel, and who, according to Psalms 47:4 , had set out with the purpose of expelling Israel from her land. Another interpretation is that the psalm was composed for the dedication of the temple on the return from captivity. The main thought is the universal sovereignty of God. "God is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 47:2

For the Lord Most High is terrible (comp. Deuteronomy 7:21 ; and see also Psalms 65:5 ; Psalms 68:35 ; Psalms 76:7-9 ). God is "terrible"— i.e. awful to contemplate-on account of his vast power and his absolute holiness. He is a great King over all the earth. Not only over Israel, or over the nations which David has conquered, but ever every nation on the face of the earth (comp. Psalms 95:3 , Psalms 95:4 ; Psalms 96:10 ; Psalms 97:1 , etc.). 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

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