Reflections on Psalms 47

 Psalms 47(Contemporary English Version)

1. (A psalm for the people of Korah and for the music leader.) All of you nations, clap your hands and shout joyful praises to God.
   
2. The LORD Most High is fearsome, the ruler of all the earth.
   
3. God has put every nation under our power,
   
4. and he chose for us the land that was the pride of Jacob, his favorite.
   
5. God goes up to his throne, as people shout and trumpets blast.
   
6. Sing praises to God our King,
   
7. the ruler of all the earth! Praise God with songs.
   
8. God rules the nations from his sacred throne.
   
9. Their leaders come together and are now the people of Abraham's God. All rulers on earth surrender their weapons, and God is greatly praised!

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This psalm is a song about the Lord, the great King, celebrating His universal reign. We can only guess at the occasion for which it was written and used. Though it was used in worship, was it for a special occasion such as victory in battle for which it gave praise to the Lord or simply a general worship psalm? It is also understand, however, to have meaning beyond an occasion of worship for Israel. That is, it should be understood prophetically as portraying the coming kingdom of God in which He will reign freely over all the earth when all will give Him homage.

If one will set aside any doubts of the existence of a God or of a creator and fully embrace God as a "great King over all the earth," (47:2) there is great comfort in knowing that for those who choose Him, "He chooses for us our inheritance" and "subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet." (47:3, 4) Furthermore, He "reigns over the nations." These truths point to God's sovereignty over all people and nations regardless of whether or not they acknowledge Him. Nations and peoples rise and fall at His will and not as a result of their own prowess as they assume. Though we see this only in part now, it will one day be seen in full when every knee will bow to Him and "the leaders of the earth" will "belong to God." (47:9)

There is indeed One who has orchestrated the existence of all things and continues to direct its passage through time. I choose to accept that as the true reality and submit to this One who has my destiny in His hands and Who I can trust to handle that destiny in mercy and loving care.