Psalm 47

The psalmist called on all nations to honor Israel's God who will one day rule over them. This is one of the enthronement psalms that deals with Yahweh's universal reign (cf. Pss. 93; 95-99). These are prophetic psalms since the worldwide rule of Messiah was future when the psalmist wrote.

 1. The sovereign King's homage 47:1-4

47:1-2 The psalmist called on all people to applaud Yahweh joyfully because He is the great universal sovereign enthroned on high. This is a call to willing submission to His authority.

47:3-4 God showed His sovereignty by subduing nations to give the Israelites their inheritance in Canaan. When Jesus Christ returns to the earth, He will again exercise authority over all nations and exalt Israel among them (Matt. 21:43; Rom. 11:1-32).

 2. The sovereign King's reign 47:5-9

47:5-6 The writer viewed God as mounting His cosmic throne to rule over all the earth. Trumpets announced His ascent with a fanfare. The psalmist called all people to sing praises to God because He is the sovereign Lord.

47:7-9 Again he called for praise because the Lord reigns over all nations. He looked ahead in time to see this enthronement. It has not yet taken place, but the psalmist was sure it would happen. The King of the Universe will inevitably rule one day over all, and every knee will bow before Him (Phil. 2:9-11).¹⁰⁵

As the saints experience discouragement, we can find hope and joy in the fact that one day Jesus Christ will subdue all His enemies and rule over all the nations.