King James Version

What Does Psalms 47:1 Mean?

Psalms 47:1 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Psalms 47:1 · KJV

Context

1

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

2

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

3

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

Read Psalms 47 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. 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's kingdom.

"O clap your hands" (תִּקְעוּ־כַף/tiq'u-khaf) commands vigorous physical expression of joy and celebration. Clapping hands signifies triumph, victory celebration, enthusiastic approval (2 Kings 11:12, Isaiah 55:12). This isn't sedate, emotionless worship but passionate, embodied praise. The body participates in worship—hands clap, voices shout, because the whole person (not merely intellect) responds to God's greatness.

"All ye people" (כָּל־הָעַמִּים/kol-ha'ammim) universalizes the call. Not just Israel but all nations, all ethnic groups, all peoples are summoned to worship. The plural ammim (peoples/nations) emphasizes diversity—every tribe, tongue, and nation owes allegiance to this King. This anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and Revelation's vision of a multitude from every nation worshiping the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10).

"Shout unto God" (הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹהִים/hari'u le'Elohim) uses rua, meaning to shout, raise a war cry, acclaim a king. This isn't polite applause but thunderous acclamation—the sound of subjects hailing their victorious king. Ancient coronations involved loud public acclamation; this psalm pictures God's enthronement celebrated by all humanity.

"With the voice of triumph" (בְּקוֹל רִנָּה/beqol rinnah) describes the shout's character: rinnah means ringing cry, shout of joy, triumphant exclamation. This is victory celebration—God has conquered, achieved triumph, established His reign. The psalm anticipates Christ's ultimate victory when 'at the name of Jesus every knee should bow...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord' (Philippians 2:10-11).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 47, attributed to the Sons of Korah, belongs to the 'enthronement psalms' (Psalms 93, 95-99) celebrating Yahweh's kingship. Scholars debate whether these psalms accompanied an annual enthronement festival (analogous to pagan New Year festivals) or simply celebrated God's eternal kingship through Israel's worship. Regardless, they affirm a central biblical truth: Yahweh reigns as King over all creation.

Ancient Near Eastern cultures held elaborate coronation ceremonies and annual festivals celebrating divine kingship. Babylon's Akitu festival annually re-enacted Marduk's victory and enthronement. Egypt celebrated pharaoh's divine kingship. Against this background, Israel's enthronement psalms assert: not Marduk or any national deity, but Yahweh—Israel's covenant God—reigns as universal King over all nations.

The psalm's language suggests eschatological fulfillment. While God has always reigned, His kingship isn't universally acknowledged in the present age. Nations rage, peoples rebel, kings set themselves against the LORD (Psalm 2:1-3). Yet these enthronement psalms envision the day when all nations will recognize Yahweh's sovereignty, all peoples will worship Him, all creation will submit to His reign.

This vision begins fulfilling through the gospel. Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension established His kingship (Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:20-23). The church, composed of believers from every nation, already acknowledges His reign and worships Him. Missionaries carry the gospel to every people group, gathering worshipers from all nations. Yet complete fulfillment awaits Christ's return, when 'the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever' (Revelation 11:15).

Throughout church history, this psalm encouraged believers under persecution or minority status. Though surrounded by paganism or hostile governments, Christians proclaimed: God reigns! All nations will ultimately bow before Him. This confidence sustained martyrs, emboldened missionaries, and encouraged believers that human opposition cannot thwart God's purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the call to 'clap your hands' and 'shout unto God' challenge contemporary worship that may be overly reserved or emotionally suppressed?
  2. What does it mean that 'all peoples' (not just Israel or the church) are commanded to worship God, and how does this relate to missions and evangelism?
  3. How do we balance celebrating God's kingship now (through faith) with anticipating its future universal recognition (at Christ's return)?
  4. In what ways should recognizing God as universal King over all nations affect our political views, patriotism, and national identity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
כָּֽל1 of 8
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָ֭עַמִּים2 of 8

“all ye people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

תִּקְעוּ3 of 8

“O clap”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

כָ֑ף4 of 8

“your hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

הָרִ֥יעוּ5 of 8

“shout”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

לֵ֝אלֹהִ֗ים6 of 8

“unto God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּק֣וֹל7 of 8

“with the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

רִנָּֽה׃8 of 8

“of triumph”

H7440

properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e., shout (of joy or grief)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 47:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 47:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 98:4Jeremiah 31:7Psalms 106:47Psalms 46:1Revelation 19:1-22 Samuel 6:15

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 47 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 47 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes