Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 47

Sometimes we just need to stop whatever we are doing and praise God. The world has become an unthankful place and the heart of a Christian cannot follow that path. All of us have so much to be thankful to God for, yet in this “me” society we live in, we credit ourselves for what we have. James 1:17 reminds us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” And there is plenty to be thankful for, but even if we had nothing in terms of physical wealth, we still have the gift of salvation.

Psalm 47:1-4

 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!  For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.  He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.  He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

Clap and shout to God with loud songs of joy. He is the Most High, He is a great king over all, and He subdues all the nations. He chose our heritage, just as He chose Israel to be the nation upon which salvation would come.

In this Psalm we see a picture of Christ. We see in it the resurrection.

Psalm 47:5-7
God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.  Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!  For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!

We see in the day when Christ returns and subdues the earth, both in verse 3, He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet, and in verses 8 and 9.

Psalm 47:8-9
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.  The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!

God reigns now and He reigns in eternity. This is cause to rejoice. This is cause to be thankful. This is cause to hope.

For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm!