Psalm 47
A view is presented of the kingdom of Christ most
gloriously established, and universal praises are evoked.
1, 2. "O clap your hands, all you people; shout to God
with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most High is awesome; He is a great
King over all the earth."
A note of rapturous prediction pervades this hymn. The
day of glory is anticipated, when angels' voices shall proclaim that the
kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our God, and of His
Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. The word is now verified, "In
You shall all the families of the earth be blessed." The Jewish Church shall
expand her arms to embrace the called of the Gentiles—and they are received
as fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in
Christ. The Lord is magnified in all His power and majesty—the terribleness
of His vengeance over all who yielded not obedience to His sway is
dreadfully displayed—and on His head are crowns of supremacy over all the
earth. Oh! day of gladness, and unspeakable delight! The happy subjects of
these joyful realms are stirred up to show their ecstasy by every sign. We,
also, in prospect of such happiness, should shout our praises and proclaim
our triumph.
3, 4. "He shall subdue the people under us, and the
nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us, the
excellency of Jacob whom He loved."
Many and mighty were the enemies of Christ's kingdom—long
and fierce was the conflict. At times the ungodly seemed to prevail, and the
palm of victory seemed to be in their hands. But now Christ is gloriously
triumphant. His foes all lick the dust; the feet of His people trample upon
the subjugated hosts.
The division of Canaan among the tribes was proof of His
providential care. The same care still guards all temporal matters for us.
As Jacob excelled Esau in his inherited blessings, so Christ's people
inherit all good things—things present and things to come. Christ loves them
with an everlasting love; He loves them and rejoices over them to do them
good.
5, 6, 7. "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with
the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to
our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises
with understanding."
Christ is now exhibited in another aspect of His glory,
that thanksgiving may be more fervently awakened. He is presented to the eye
of faith as ascending to the heaven of heavens, to take His seat on the
right hand of the Majesty of high. Attending angels shout, and welcoming
hosts re-echo the glad sound. Are conquerors thus welcomed when they return
in triumph—and shall not all tokens of joy sound the praises of Jesus
returning from His glorious victory?
Let us, for whom the victory is achieved, sing praises;
yes, sing praises with understanding. Let us thoroughly discern the causes
of our joy. It is because Jesus has vanquished our every foe; has gloriously
accomplished our full redemption—has finished the undertaken work, and has
saved us with an everlasting salvation. Let us ponder the work until its
length and breadth be fully grasped; and let every discovery stir us up to
sing praises with understanding.
8, 9. "God reigns over the heathen; God sits upon the
throne of His holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together,
even the people of the God of Abraham; for the kings of the earth belong to
God; He is greatly exalted."
Joy would ever brighten in the dwellings of the
righteous, if the truth were always before their eyes, that God sits supreme
upon the throne of His holiness. The kings of the earth are mighty, but all
their power is derived from Him. As shields they give protection, but His
hand is over all. Greatly He is exalted. Let Him be greatly extolled. Let us
sing praises, sing praises, with understanding.