Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Psalms » Chapter 47 » Verse 3-4

Psalms 47:3-4 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 He shall subdue H1696 the people H5971 under us, and the nations H3816 under our feet. H7272

4 He shall choose H977 our inheritance H5159 for us, the excellency H1347 of Jacob H3290 whom he loved. H157 Selah. H5542

Commentary on Psalms 47 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


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].