The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 47
In brief
Psalm 47, a song of the sons of Korah, invites all peoples to clap their hands and shout for joy before the LORD, the Most High, a great king over all the earth. God goes up with the sound of a trumpet and sits on his holy throne. The psalm closes with a wide vision: the princes of the peoples gather with the people of the God of Abraham. Many Christians also read it in the light of Jesus' ascension.
The chapter in 3 parts
1Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
2For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.
3He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.
4He chooses our inheritance for us, the glory of Jacob whom he loved.
5God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.
6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
7For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
8God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
9The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!
Key verses
Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
The call to joy is addressed to all peoples. Praise here is physical and loud: people clap and shout, they do not just think about God.
For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.
The psalmist gives the reason for this joy: the LORD is the Most High and a great king over all the earth, not only over one people or one region.
Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
The verb sing rings out four times. Singing to God is presented as the natural response to the fact that he is king of all the earth.
The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!
The nations gather with the people of the God of Abraham. The text hints at a people of God open to every nation, and it affirms that the powers of the earth depend on him.
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 47
What does Psalm 47 mean?
Psalm 47 proclaims that the LORD is king of all the earth and invites every people to acclaim him. It affirms that God's power does not stop at the borders of Israel: he reigns over the nations and their leaders. Christians often see in it an announcement of the reign of Christ, who ascended to the Father. It is a psalm of praise that reminds us the world is not left to chance.
Who wrote Psalm 47?
The title attributes it to the sons of Korah, a family of Levites who served as singers and gatekeepers in the temple. They are also credited with Psalms 42 to 49, 84, 85, 87 and 88. Psalm 47 was probably sung at a festival, to the sound of trumpets, by an assembly gathered to acknowledge God as king.
How do you pray Psalm 47?
Read it aloud, then let your praise come out through your body, in a song or with raised hands. Thank God for being king, including over the situations that seem out of control to you. You can also pray for the nations and for the leaders of your country, recognizing that the shields of the earth belong to God.
Articles quoting Psalm 47
World English Bible translation — public domain.