Psalms — Chapter 47

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1O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

2For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

3He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

4He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

6Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

8God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

9The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

1Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

2For Jehovah Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.

3He subdueth peoples under us, And nations under our feet.

4He chooseth our inheritance for us, The glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah

5God is gone up with a shout, Jehovah with the sound of a trumpet.

6Sing praise to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

7For God is the King of all the earth: Sing ye praises with understanding.

8God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.

9The princes of the peoples are gathered together [To be] the people of the God of Abraham: For the shields of the earth belong unto God; He is greatly exalted. Psalm 48 A Song; a Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1For the music director, by the Korahites; a psalm. All you nations, clap your hands. Shout out to God in celebration.

2For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring; he is the great king who rules the whole earth!

3He subdued nations beneath us and countries under our feet.

4He picked out for us a special land to be a source of pride for Jacob, whom he loves. (Selah)

5God has ascended his throne amid loud shouts; the Lord has ascended amid the blaring of ram’s horns.

6Sing to God! Sing! Sing to our king! Sing!

7For God is king of the whole earth. Sing a well-written song.

8God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

9The nobles of the nations assemble, along with the people of the God of Abraham, for God has authority over the rulers of the earth. He is highly exalted.

1Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

2For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

3He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.

4He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

5God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.

6Sing praises to God, sing praises. Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.

8God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

9The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

An enthronement psalm — 'Clap your hands, all ye people'; God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet; He reigns over the nations and sits upon His holy throne.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hymn of Praise / Enthronement Psalm Attributed Author: Sons of Korah (To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah) Key Themes: Universal kingship of God, exuberant praise, God's ascension, nations gathered to God, joyful worship
Historical Context: Psalm 47 is one of the "Enthronement Psalms" (alongside Psalms 93, 95-99) celebrating God's kingship over all the earth. It continues the triumphant tone of Psalm 46 and forms part of a cluster of praise psalms by the Sons of Korah (46-48). While some scholars connect it to the Ark's processional entry into Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6) or to a New Year's celebration of God's sovereignty, its language transcends any single historical occasion.
The psalm is remarkable for its universal scope — "all ye people" (v. 1), "all the earth" (v. 2, 7), "the heathen/nations" (v. 8), "the people of the God of Abraham" (v. 9). This is not merely Israelite nationalism but a vision of God reigning over every nation. The mention of "the God of Abraham" (v. 9) rather than "the God of Moses" points to the Abrahamic promise: "in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12:3).
Verse 5 — "God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet" — has been traditionally associated with Christ's Ascension. The early church connected this psalm to Ascension Day liturgy, understanding God's "going up" as fulfilled in Christ's ascent to the Father's right hand (Acts 1:9-11). The psalm thus looks forward to the day when every knee shall bow and the nations gather under the rule of the ascended King.
Structure:
  • Call to Exuberant Praise (vv. 1-4)
  • God's Ascension with Shout and Trumpet (vv. 5-7)
  • God's Universal Reign Over All Nations (vv. 8-9)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Videos

The Bible Project — Psalms Overview

Reflection

  • 1. Worship should be exuberant. This psalm commands clapping, shouting, and singing — physical expressions of joy. While reverence has its place, so does jubilation. If God is truly King of all the earth, our response should sometimes overflow in visible, audible celebration. Subdued worship is not always more spiritual.
  • 2. God's reign is universal, not tribal. "King of all the earth" (v. 7) — not merely King of our denomination, nation, or tradition. His sovereignty extends over every people, culture, and government. This expands our prayer life, our missions vision, and our understanding of God's purposes.
  • 3. Christ ascended in triumph. Verse 5 reminds us that Jesus did not merely depart — He ascended as conquering King, enthroned at the Father's right hand with all authority. His current position is one of supreme authority, and He awaits the day when every knee will bow.
  • 4. Worship should engage the mind. "Sing with understanding" (v. 7) calls us beyond emotional experience to theological comprehension. We should know what we're singing, why we're singing it, and whom we're singing to. Mindless worship dishonors the God who gave us minds.
  • 5. All nations will be gathered. The vision of verse 9 — princes of every people assembled as God's own — fuels hope for global redemption. Every tongue, tribe, and nation has representatives destined for God's kingdom. This is not wishful thinking but prophetic certainty.