Psalm 47

Introduction.—Ps. 47 is a festal anthem of purest praise to Jehovah, who is exalted as God not only of Israel but of all nations on the earth. It may be considered a development of the theme of Ps. 46:10. 46, 47, 48 are closely related. As an anthem for public worship Ps. 47 was probably sung antiphonally by two choruses, one singing vs. 1, 2, and 5, 6, alternating with the other singing vs. 3, 4, and 7, 8; both uniting in singing v. 9. This triumphant psalm is read in the modern synagogue service on the New Year, before the sounding of the shophar (ram’s horn); on that day the universal rulership of Jehovah is emphasized in the ritual.

On the superscription see pp. 617, 627.

1. Voice of triumph. See 2 Sam. 6:15; 1 Chron. 15:28. Nothing short of such demonstrations as clapping and shouting appeared sufficient to the psalmist to express the praise that is due God (see Ps. 148, 149, 150).

2. The Lord. Heb. Yahweh (see Vol. I, pp. 171, 172).

Terrible. Or, “to be reverenced.” God is worthy of profound reverence.

Over all the earth. See Ps. 46:10; Mal. 1:14.

4. The excellency of Jacob. Or, “the pride of Jacob,” that is, the land of Canaan, a land of beauty and productivity.

Selah. See p. 629. The word stands at the point of division of thought: vs. 1–4 express the psalmist’s hope; vs. 5–9 portray the accomplishment of that hope.

5. God is gone up. A picture of God returning to His dwelling place after having descended to accomplish one of His marvelous acts.

6. Sing praises. Heb. zamar, the root of mizmor, “a psalm” (see p. 627). Note the force of the fourfold repetition of the phrase.

7. King of all the earth. See v. 2; Ps. 46:10. This is the theme of the psalm.

With understanding. Heb. masЊkil, a word of uncertain meaning (see p. 628). Since the term appears in the superscription of a number of the psalms (32, 42, 44, etc.), presumably as a technical designation of such psalms, the clause should probably be translated, “sing a maskil” (see RSV, “sing praises with a psalm”).

9. Princes. Either the princes of Israel or of the people of other nations.

Even the people. The word “even” is supplied. The RV supplies “to be,” and the RSV, “as,” both readings supporting the idea that the people of other nations will unite themselves to the people of the God of Abraham. Converts to the Lord are regarded as the children of Abraham (see Gen. 17:4; Rom. 4:13–18; Gal. 3:7).

The ideas of vs. 8, 9 are expanded in Ps. 97 and 99.

Shields. Perhaps here a figure of the princes, as defenders (see Hosea 4:18, where the word for “rulers” is, literally, “shields”). The LXX reads “mighty” for “shields,” evidently from a different Hebrew word. Those who rule are under the rule of Jehovah.

Since the Heb. magen, “shield,” also means “entreaty,” “petition” (see on Ps. 7:10), the passage should probably be rendered, “Toward God go the entreaties of the earth; he is greatly exalted.”

Greatly exalted. See on Ps. 46:10. The theme of the psalm is repeated in its final clause.

Ellen G. White comments

9 ML 291