Commentary Critical And Explanatory On The Whole Bible

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].