Sons of Korah
Psalm 47
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.
Scripture (KJV)
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.
Summary
Psalm 47 is an enthronement hymn calling all peoples to clap and shout because the LORD Most High is a great King over all the earth. The sons of Korah summon the nations to clap their hands and shout to God with the voice of triumph. God has gone up with a shout and the sound of a trumpet, and the psalmist calls for repeated singing of praises: "Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises." God is the King of all the earth and reigns over the nations, seated on His holy throne. The psalm closes with the gathering of the princes of the peoples to the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to God. The ascension of Christ is often seen in verse 5.
The major themes are kingship, praise, triumph, sovereignty, and worship. Practically, the psalm teaches that praise is the fitting response to God’s universal reign. The great lesson is that God is the King of all the earth, greatly exalted.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 47
LORD Most High, I clap my hands and shout to You with the voice of triumph, for You are a great King over all the earth. You subdue the nations under Your feet and choose our inheritance. You have gone up with a shout, with the sound of a trumpet. I sing praises to You, I sing praises; I sing praises to my King, I sing praises, for You are the King of all the earth. You reign over the nations and sit on the throne of Your holiness. Gather the princes of the peoples to Yourself, the people of the God of Abraham, for the shields of the earth belong to You. You are greatly exalted. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1How does clapping and shouting in worship reflect the heart of this psalm?
- 2What does it mean that God is "the King of all the earth"?
- 3How might verse 5 point to the ascension of Christ?
- 4How can I "sing praises with understanding"?
Related Psalms
Psalm 46
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
God our refuge amid chaos; be still and know that He is God.
Read morePsalm 48
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.”
A hymn to Zion, the city of the great King, secure forever.
Read morePsalm 68
“Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.”
A processional celebrating God’s triumph and care for the lonely.
Read morePsalm 96
“O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.”
A missionary hymn calling all nations to ascribe glory to the Lord as King.
Read morePsalm 98
“O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.”
A new song for God’s victory; all creation joins the praise.
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