King James Version
Psalms 47
9 verses with commentary
God Is King over All the Earth
To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. for: or, of
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.</strong> This enthronement psalm opens with an exuberant call to universal worship, summoning all nations to acknowledge Yahweh's kingship. The imperative plural forms and the address to 'all ye people' transcend Israel, envisioning worldwide recognition of God's sovereignty—a vision ultimately fulfilled in Christ'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Of triumph.**—Or, *of exultation, *as LXX. and Vulg. For the hand-clapping at a time of national rejoicing, such as the coronation of a king, see 2Kings 11:12 (comp. Psalm 98:8); and for the “shout,” comp. Numbers 23:21, “the shout of a king”; and 1Samuel 10:24. With the Hebrews, as with our own English forefathers, this sign of popular assent,
“In full acclaim,
A people’s voice,
The proof a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**7. Show--**set apart as special and eminent (Ex 8:18; Psa 4:3).
**thy right hand--**for Thy power.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 47
The people exhorted to praise God.
**Verses 1-4**
The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each...
Read full commentary →For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.</strong> This verse provides the theological foundation ('for') for the preceding call to universal worship. God deserves worldwide acclaim because He is the LORD Most High, awesome in power, reigning as King over all the earth.<br><br>"For the LORD most high" (כִּי־יְהוָה עֶלְיוֹן/<em>ki-Yahweh Elyon</em>) combines...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Most high.**—Or, possibly, a predicate, *is exalted.*
**Terrible.**—Literally, *feared. *(Comp. 2Chronicles 20:29).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in De 32:10, 11; Mt 23:37.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 47
The people exhorted to praise God.
**Verses 1-4**
The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each...
Read full commentary →He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God 'shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.' The Hebrew <em>dabar</em> (subdue) indicates bringing into subjection. This verse celebrates God's victory over hostile powers, anticipating the universal submission to Christ prophesied in Philippians 2:10-11.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3, 4) **Shall subdue . . . shall choose.**—Rather, *subdues, chooses, *indicating a continued manifestation of the Divine favour.
(3) **Our inheritance.**—The LXX. read, “his inheritance,” suggesting that originally the passage may have run, *He chooses us for His inheritance, *an even commoner thought in the Hebrew mind than that of the present text, that Jehovah chose Canaan as an inheritance f...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. compass me--**(compare Psa 118:10-12).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 47
The people exhorted to praise God.
**Verses 1-4**
The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each...
Read full commentary →He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God 'shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved.' The 'inheritance' primarily refers to the promised land but extends to all covenant blessings. 'Excellency of Jacob' (Hebrew <em>ga'on</em>) is the pride or glory of Israel--their special status as God's chosen people.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **The excellency of Jacob.**—This phrase, which literally means *the loftiness of Jacob, *is used in Nahum 2:2 of the national glory, in Ezekiel 24:21 of the Temple, but in Amos 6:8 has a bad sense, “the pride of Jacob.” Here, as the text stands, it is to be understood of the country. (Comp. Isaiah 13:19.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. enclosed ... fat--**are become proud in prosperity, and insolent to God (De 32:15; Psa 73:7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 47
The people exhorted to praise God.
**Verses 1-4**
The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each...
Read full commentary →God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.</strong> This verse describes God's ascent to His throne, celebrated with triumphant acclamation and trumpet fanfare. The imagery evokes ancient coronation ceremonies and prophetically points to Christ's ascension.<br><br>"God is gone up" (עָלָה אֱלֹהִים/<em>alah Elohim</em>) uses <em>alah</em>, meaning to ascend, go up, mo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Is gone up.**—Not, as in Genesis 17:22, Judges 13:20, to heaven, but, as in Psalms 24, to the Temple, as is shown by the public acclaim accompanying the ark to its resting-place after victory. (Comp. 2Chronicles 20:28; Psalm 68:17; Amos 2:2.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. They pursue us as beasts tracking their prey.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the ...
Read full commentary →Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.</strong> This verse issues a fourfold repetition of the command to 'sing praises,' emphasizing the urgency, importance, and perpetual nature of worship. The parallel between 'God' and 'our King' affirms that Yahweh—not mere human monarchs—is the true King worthy of continual praise.<br><br>"Sing praises" (זַמְּרוּ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Sing praises.**—Better, *Strike the harp.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. The figure made more special by that of a lion lurking.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the ...
Read full commentary →For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. with: or, every one that hath
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.</strong> This verse provides the reason ('for') why continuous praise is commanded (v.6): God's universal kingship warrants intelligent, thoughtful worship. The call to 'sing praises with understanding' emphasizes that worship must engage both heart and mind.<br><br>"For God is the King of all the earth" (כִּי־מֶלֶךְ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **With understanding.**—Rather, *play a fine tune. *(See title Psalms 32) Or perhaps as LXX., and Vulg. adverbially, *play with skill.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-15. disappoint--**literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the ...
Read full commentary →God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.</strong> This concluding statement (before the final verse's summary) declares God's present reign over all nations and His enthronement on His holy throne. The dual declaration emphasizes both extent (over the nations) and character (holy) of His kingship.<br><br>"God reigneth" (מָלַךְ אֱלֹהִים/<em>malakh Elohim</...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-15. disappoint--**literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the ...
Read full commentary →The 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. princes: or, voluntary of the people are gathered unto the people of the God of Abraham
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The universal gathering: 'The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham.' Foreign princes join Abraham's people in worship--the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise that 'all families of the earth shall be blessed.' 'The shields of the earth belong unto God' indicates all protectors/rulers acknowledge Him.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The shields of the earth**—*i.e.*, the princes just mentioned, as in Hosea 4:18; so LXX. and Vulg. (“strong ones”), which, however, they make the subject of the verb—“have been mightily exalted.”
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bible Hub
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-15. disappoint--**literally, "come before," or, "encounter him." Supply "with" before "sword" (Psa 17:13), and "hand" (Psa 17:14). These denote God's power.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 5-9**
Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the ...
Read full commentary →