Psalms 47 Psalms 47 TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. A PSALM FOR THE SONS OF KORAH. All the Classical Commentators (e.g. Rashi, Radak, Iben Ezra) seem to agree that this psalm is primarily intended for the Messianic Age even though secondary applications may be pertinent before then.   [Psalms 47:1] O CLAP YOUR HANDS, ALL YE PEOPLE; SHOUT UNTO GOD WITH THE VOICE OF TRIUMPH.                      "CLAP YOUR HANDS": The clapping of hands by a large number of people when done to a musical beat accompanying song can be very effective.   [Psalms 47:2] FOR THE LORD MOST HIGH IS TERRIBLE; HE IS A GREAT KING OVER ALL THE EARTH.                        [Psalms 47:3] HE SHALL SUBDUE THE PEOPLE UNDER US, AND THE NATIONS UNDER OUR FEET.   The Messiah will rule over all nations of the earth THROUGH the Peoples of Israel. Judah and Joseph will unite and be tools in the hands of the Messiah to set the world in order.                     [Psalms 47:4] HE SHALL CHOOSE OUR INHERITANCE FOR US, THE EXCELLENCY OF JACOB WHOM HE LOVED. SELAH.   <<EXCELLENCY OF JACOB>>: In Hebrew "Gaon Yaacov".  Remember the recurrence of the name Jacob in its various forms as a term applied to Israelites: "Yank" (Jake) a nickname for North Americans. "Jock" (Jack) a nickname for Scottish men. "Union Jack" the Flag of Britain. The French "Jacques" (Jacob).                      [Psalms 47:5] GOD IS GONE UP WITH A SHOUT, THE LORD WITH THE SOUND OF A TRUMPET.                        [Psalms 47:6] SING PRAISES TO GOD, SING PRAISES: SING PRAISES UNTO OUR KING, SING PRAISES.                      <<SING PRAISES TO GOD >> In Hebrew this expression can also be understood to mean "God will go up with exultation (or with the blowing of a trumpet or shofar. S.R. Hirsch says it refers to the blowing of a shofar )".   AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE GREAT TRUMPET [Hebrew: "shofar"] SHALL BE BLOWN, AND THEY SHALL COME WHICH WERE READY TO PERISH IN THE LAND OF ASSYRIA, AND THE OUTCASTS IN THE LAND OF EGYPT, AND SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE HOLY MOUNT AT JERUSALEM [Isaiah 27:13].     Abraham Iben Ezra says that this verse (Psalm 47:6) refers to the Ark of the Covenant which has disappeared but will be found again.   [Psalms 47:7] FOR GOD IS THE KING OF ALL THE EARTH: SING YE PRAISES WITH UNDERSTANDING.                        [Psalms 47:8] GOD REIGNETH OVER THE HEATHEN: GOD SITTETH UPON THE THRONE OF HIS HOLINESS.                        [Psalms 47:9] THE 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.    The Midrash Tehillim says all this will take place when Saviors will arise on the Mountain of Zion to save Israel as explained in the Book of Obadiah (1:21): See the Brit-Am Commentary to this verse: in The Book of Obadiah                  "THE PEOPLE ARE GATHERED PEOPLE OF THE GOD OF ABRAHAM": In Hebrew the word translated here as "PEOPLE" is "Amim" meaning "Peoples" in the plural. The Peoples of Israel will gather together under their leaders all together and become once again "The Peoples of the God of Abraham". Psalms Index Home