Psalm Chapter 47 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
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.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
More Psalms Chapter 47 Continued Below
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.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 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.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 47:1
Verse: הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹהִים כָּל-הָאָרֶץ
Transliteration: Har’u l’Elohim kol-ha’aretz
English: “Clap your hands, all peoples; shout to God with the voice of triumph!”
Focus Word: הָרִיעַ (Haria)
- Root: ר-ו-ע (Resh-Vav-Ayin)
- Meaning: “To shout,” “to clap,” “to exult.”
- Deeper Insight: In Hebrew, haria conveys expressive joy and celebration, often in recognition of God’s sovereignty and triumph.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 47 |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (Jesus College, Cambridge, 1602–1675) | Commentarius Hebraicus in Psalmos | Lightfoot interprets the Psalm as a celebration of God’s universal kingship and the call for all peoples to rejoice. |
| Matthew Poole (University of Oxford, 1624–1679) | Synopsis Criticorum | Poole emphasizes the Psalm’s depiction of God as sovereign over all nations, inspiring worship and allegiance. |
| Richard Baxter (University of Cambridge, 1615–1691) | Paraphrase and Notes on the Psalms | Baxter notes that praise is due not only for God’s local blessings but for His rule over the whole earth. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Observes that the Psalm calls for communal rejoicing and acknowledgment of God’s righteous governance. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Manton emphasizes that celebrating God’s rule is both an act of devotion and a reminder of His providence. |
Prayer: Thank you Father God for blessing me with the knowledge of You; for giving me understanding. Thank you, Father for drawing me to The Lord Jesus Christ and giving me the grace to know you. I pray Lord that people everywhere will come to know you and Jesus Christ whom You have sent, whom to know is life eternal in Jesus' Name.
