Psalm 47:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 47:5-9

We are here most earnestly pressed to praise God, and to sing his praises; so backward are we to this duty that we have need to be urged to it by precept upon precept, and line upon line; so we are here (Ps. 47:6): Sing praises to God, and again, Sing praises, Sing praises to our King, and again, Sing praises. This intimates that it is a very necessary and excellent duty, that it is a duty we ought to be frequent and abundant in; we may sing praises again and again in the same words, and it is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the Heathen ,.... He reigned over Israel under the former dispensation, and now he reigns over the Gentiles under the Gospel dispensation; as appears by the numerous instances of conversion among them in the first ages of Christianity; and by the many churches that were planted by the means of the apostles; and by the destruction of the Roman Pagan empire under the sixth seal, Revelation 6:12 ; and which will still more appear by the destruction of Rome Papal, when all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the heathen - Though this is literally true in God's universal dominion, yet more is here meant. God reigns over the heathen when, by the preaching of the Gospel, they are brought into the Church of Christ. God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - He is a holy God; he proclaims holiness. His laws are holy, he requires holiness, and his genuine people are all holy. The throne of his holiness is the heaven of heavens; also the temple at Jerusalem; and, lastly, the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 47:8

Verse 8 8.He hath obtained the kingdom over the heathen Literally it is, He hath reigned; but as the verb מלך, malach, is in the past tense, which in Hebrew denotes a continued act, we have translated it, He hath obtained the kingdom The prophet repeatedly informs us that God reigns over the Gentiles; and from this it is easy to gather that he here treats of a new and a previously unheard of manner of reigning. There is an implied contrast between the time of the Law, when God confined his... 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 47:8

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

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

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