Psalms 47 Explained — Clap Your Hands, God Reigns

Hands clap and voices shout as God is praised above every people and pictured ascending with a trumpet blast. The result is a call to sing with understanding, because the chapter places every kingdom under the rule of the Most High.

Summary

Psalm 47:1–4 – Clap and shout to the King What happens: All peoples are called to joyful praise because God subdues nations. What it means: God is King over all the earth. Worship is global and triumphant.

Psalm 47:5–9 – God ascends with shouts What happens: God ascends amid shouts and trumpets; He reigns over the nations. What it means: God’s enthronement deserves celebration. The shields of the earth belong to Him.

Application

Celebrate God’s universal kingship.
Sing with joy that He reigns now.
Pray for nations to acknowledge His rule.

Bible

¹To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

²For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

³He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

⁴He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

⁵God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

⁶Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

⁷For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

⁸God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

⁹The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

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