Psalms 47:1 - Meaning and Application

The psalmist’s own heart was filled with great and good thoughts of God, and he wanted to stir everyone around him to praise. He was convinced that God deserves all blessing and praise, and he was troubled by how slow and empty people are in this duty. In these verses, he calls people to worship, tells them how to worship, and points them to reasons for praise.

He calls on all the people, meaning the people of Israel, who were under his care and influence. So he would lead them to praise God, whatever others did. But the words can also reach farther, to all nations of the earth, as a prophecy of the Gentiles coming into the church, as in (Romans 15:11). The call is for all people who know God’s goodness to join in.

They are told to clap their hands, as a sign of joy and full approval of what God has done. It also shows admiration for God’s works and a holy anger against all who oppose his glory, as in (Job 27:23). They are to shout to God, not so he can hear, for his ear is not hard of hearing, but so others can see how deeply they are moved by his works. Such signs of strong devotion should not be quickly judged as improper or foolish, and they should not be mocked. If they come from an honest heart, God accepts the strength of the feeling, even if the words or gestures are weak.

The psalm then gives reasons for praise. First, the Lord Most High is a God of great majesty. He is far above even the highest creatures, and all must reverence him, especially because of his power, holiness, and justice. These are the qualities that make all who resist him have good reason to fear. He is also the one King who rules over all the earth, with complete authority. Since he made all creatures, all are subject to him, and he is the great King, the King over all kings.

God also cares in a special way for his people and their affairs. He gives them victory and success, as he subdues peoples and nations under them (Psalms 47:3). He had done this for Israel when he brought them into Canaan and kept them there. He would also continue to do this through his servant David, whose arms were victorious wherever he turned. But this points forward to the kingdom of the Messiah, which would stretch over the whole earth and not stay limited to the Jewish nation. Jesus Christ would subdue the Gentiles, bringing them in like sheep for safety, not for slaughter. He would subdue their hearts, make them willing in the day of his power, and bring their thoughts into obedience to him, leading those who had gone astray under the care of the great Shepherd and Overseer of souls (1 Peter 2:25).

God also gives his people rest and settlement, as the next verse says, he will choose our inheritance for us (Psalms 47:4). He had chosen Canaan for Israel, the land the Lord their God had selected for them, as in (Deuteronomy 32:8). This gave them a true title to the land and made their possession of it sweet and satisfying. They had reason to be glad in it, because it was the lot chosen by infinite wisdom. When God set up his sanctuary there, it became the glory and honor of Jacob (Amos 6:8). God chose such a good inheritance for Jacob because he loved him (Deuteronomy 7:8).

Taken spiritually, this shows the happiness of the saints. God himself has chosen their inheritance for them, and it is a good heritage. The one who knows the soul and knows what will make it happy has chosen it well. He has even chosen to be the inheritance of his people himself (Psalms 16:5), and he has laid up for them an inheritance in the other world that cannot fade, spoil, or lose its value (1 Peter 1:4). This will truly be the glory of Jacob, since God has prepared such a happiness for those he loves, a happiness that no eye has seen.

It also teaches the faith and submission of the saints to God. Every gracious soul can say, “God will choose my inheritance for me. Let him decide my portion, and I will accept it.” He knows what is best for me better than I do, so I will not insist on my own way. I will rest in his choice and let my will be governed by his.