King James Version

What Does Psalms 47:5 Mean?

Psalms 47:5 in the King James Version says “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 47 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 47:5 · KJV

Context

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. with: or, every one that hath

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. 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.

"God is gone up" (עָלָה אֱלֹהִים/alah Elohim) uses alah, meaning to ascend, go up, mount. This pictures God ascending to His throne, taking His seat as King. Some interpreters see this referencing the Ark of the Covenant being carried up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-15) in a liturgical procession celebrating God's enthronement. Others see it as purely symbolic—God enthroned in heaven, exalted above all.

For Christian interpretation, this verse prophetically points to Christ's ascension. After His resurrection, Jesus 'was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight' (Acts 1:9). He ascended to the Father's right hand (Mark 16:19), entering heaven as conquering King. Ephesians 4:8-10 quotes Psalm 68:18 (another ascension passage) as referring to Christ's victorious ascent.

"With a shout" (בִּתְרוּעָה/bitru'ah) describes the accompaniment: a loud cry of triumph, victory shout, acclamation. Teru'ah was the shout raised when the Ark processed (2 Samuel 6:15), when kings were crowned (1 Kings 1:39-40), when warriors won victory. It's jubilant, triumphant, celebratory noise—the sound of subjects hailing their victorious king.

"The LORD with the sound of a trumpet" (יְהוָה בְּקוֹל שׁוֹפָר/Yahweh beqol shofar) adds the shofar (ram's horn) blast. The shofar signaled important religious and royal occasions: feasts (Leviticus 25:9), battles (Joshua 6:4-5), coronations (1 Kings 1:34), divine theophanies (Exodus 19:16). Its piercing sound announced significant events and summoned assembly.

Together, the shout and trumpet create an atmosphere of magnificent celebration—God ascending to His throne amid triumphant acclaim. This foreshadows Christ's return: 'the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God' (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The shout and trumpet that accompanied His ascent will accompany His return.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient coronation ceremonies involved elaborate processions, acclamation, and trumpet blasts. When Solomon was crowned, Zadok the priest took the horn of oil and anointed him, 'and they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy' (1 Kings 1:39-40). Similar celebrations marked other royal enthronements.

Israel's religious festivals involved trumpet blasts and shouts. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah, Leviticus 23:24) featured sustained shofar blowing. The Ark's procession to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) involved 'shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.' Some scholars propose annual liturgical celebrations of God's kingship incorporating this psalm, possibly during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Christ's ascension fulfilled this imagery. Forty days after resurrection, He led His disciples to Bethany, blessed them, and 'was carried up into heaven' (Luke 24:51). Angels announced: 'this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven' (Acts 1:11). He ascended to the Father's right hand, far above all principality and power (Ephesians 1:20-21).

Early Christian preaching emphasized Christ's ascension as proving His kingship. Peter at Pentecost proclaimed: 'Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear' (Acts 2:33). Christ's exaltation demonstrated His victory, vindication, and enthronement as Lord of all.

The Apostles' Creed confesses: 'He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.' This isn't merely historical fact but present reality—Christ reigns now as King. Though His kingship isn't universally acknowledged, He governs history, sustains the church, intercedes for believers, and will return to consummate His kingdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's ascension to the Father's right hand demonstrate His victory over sin, death, and Satan?
  2. What does it mean practically that Christ currently reigns 'at the right hand of God,' and how should this affect daily life?
  3. How does understanding Christ's ascension with triumph and celebration affect our anticipation of His return?
  4. In what ways should believers celebrate Christ's current kingship even though it's not yet universally acknowledged?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
עָלָ֣ה1 of 6

“is gone up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֱ֭לֹהִים2 of 6

“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

בִּתְרוּעָ֑ה3 of 6

“with a shout”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

יְ֝הוָ֗ה4 of 6

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בְּק֣וֹל5 of 6

“with the sound”

H6963

a voice or sound

שׁוֹפָֽר׃6 of 6

“of a trumpet”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

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 47:5 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 47:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 68:33Psalms 24:7-10Psalms 68:24-251 Corinthians 15:52Psalms 78:65Psalms 150:3

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