Psalm 47

This psalm belongs to Book Two of the Psalms (Psalms 42–72). Its superscription identifies it as "a Psalm for the sons of Korah." The preceding psalm, Psalm 46, confesses God as a refuge and ends with the words "I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 47 takes up this theme and celebrates God as the King who rules over all the earth.

Structure

• Verses 1–4 call all peoples to clap their hands and shout to God with joyful voices, because the LORD Most High is the great King over all the earth. The psalm declares that God subdues the nations under Israel and chooses for them their inheritance (the land they receive as a possession), "the excellency of Jacob whom he loved." The section ends with "Selah."
• Verses 5–6 depict God as having "gone up" amid joyful shouting and the sound of the trumpet. The psalmist repeats "sing praises" four times, urging praise to God and to the King.
• Verses 7–9 call for praise "with understanding," because God is the King of all the earth. God sits upon His holy throne and reigns over the nations. The princes (leaders) of the peoples gather together as the people of the God of Abraham, and all the shields (rulers) of the earth belong to the LORD.

Key Verses

• Psalm 47:1 "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." The call to praise extends beyond Israel to all peoples.
• Psalm 47:5 "God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet." This is the central scene of the psalm, and its interpretation varies widely.
• Psalm 47:9 "The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham." The verse envisions Gentile nations being included among the people of God.

People and Places

• Korah: The name appears in the superscription. The sons of Korah are known as a Levitical family responsible for leading praise in the temple.
• Jacob: In verse 4 the name stands for the people of Israel, whom God loved.
• Abraham: Mentioned in verse 9 in the phrase "the God of Abraham," whom the nations will serve together.

Points for Reflection

• Enthronement psalm: Scholars often classify this psalm, together with Psalms 93 and 95–99, as an "enthronement psalm" celebrating God's reign as King.
• Interpreting "gone up": Verse 5 has been read in several ways.
• Some see its background in a procession in which the ark of the covenant was brought up to the temple on Zion.
• Some see it as a scene in worship commemorating God's kingship.
• Others read it as a song looking forward to God's reign in the last days.
• In Christian tradition, since the early Church Fathers, this verse has been read in connection with the Ascension of Christ. The New Testament, however, does not quote this verse directly.
• Inclusion of the Gentiles: Verse 9 declares that the Gentile nations become the people of the God of Abraham. This passage is often read alongside the teaching of Galatians 3:6–9 that believing Gentiles are also children of Abraham.
• "With understanding": This phrase in verse 7 renders the Hebrew word maskil. Because its precise meaning is uncertain, translations render it differently.
• Jewish tradition: There is reportedly a custom of reciting this psalm on the New Year (Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets) before the shofar is sounded.

In the Korean Church

The words "clap your hands" in verse 1 are frequently cited as a basis for clapping during worship and praise. Churches that follow the liturgical calendar sometimes read this psalm around Ascension Day.