Psalms 47
PSALM 47
Ps 47:1-9. Praise is given to God for victory, perhaps that recorded (2Ch 20:20-30); and His dominions over all people, Jews and Gentiles, is asserted.
1. clap . . . hands . . . people—literally, "peoples," or "nations" (compare De 32:43; Ps 18:49; 98:9).
2, 3. His universal sovereignty now exists, and will be made known.
3. under us—that is, His saints; Israel's temporal victories were types of the spiritual conquests of the true Church.
4. He shall . . . inheritance—the heathen to be possessed by His Church (Ps 2:8), as Canaan by the Jews.
excellency of Jacob—literally, "pride," or, that in which he glories (not necessarily, though often, in a bad sense), the privileges of the chosen people— whom he loved—His love being the sole cause of granting them.5-7. God, victorious over His enemies, reascends to heaven, amid the triumphant praises of His people, who celebrate His sovereign dominion. This sovereignty is what the Psalm teaches; hence he adds,
sing . . . praises with understanding—literally, "sing and play an instructive (Psalm)." The whole typifies Christ's ascension (compare Ps 68:18).8, 9. The instruction continued.
throne of . . . holiness—or, "holy throne" (see on Ps 2:6; Ps 23:4).9. princes—who represent peoples. For—
even—supply, "as," or, "to"—that is, they all become united under covenant with Abraham's God. shields—as in Ho 4:18, "rulers" [Margin].