TRV
Translation
American Standard Version
For God is the King of all the earth: Sing ye praises with understanding.
World English Bible Messianic
For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For God is the King of all the earth: sing prayses euery one that hath vnderstanding.
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In the KJVVerse 14,633 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 47 verses 5–9
5 ¶ God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
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.
We are here most earnestly pressed to praise God, and to sing his praises; so backward are we to this duty that we have need to be urged to it by precept upon precept, and line upon line; so we are here (Psa 47:6): Sing praises to God, and again, Sing praises, Sing praises to our King, and again, Sing praises. This intimates that it is a very necessary and excellent duty, that it is a duty we ought to be frequent and abundant in; we may sing praises again and again in the same words, and it is no vain repetition if it be done with new affections. Should not a people praise their God? Dan 5:4. Should not subjects praise their king? God is our God, our King, and therefore we must praise him; we must sing his praises, as those that are pleased with them and that are not ashamed of them. But here is a needful rule subjoined (Psa 47:7): Sing you praises with understanding, with Maschil. 1. "Intelligently; as those that do yourselves understand why and for what reasons you praise God and what is the meaning of the service." This is the gospel-rule (Co1 14:15), to sing with the spirit and with the understanding also; it is only with the heart that we make melody to the Lord, Eph 5:19. It is not an acceptable service if it be not a reasonable service. 2. "Instructively, as those that desire to make others understand God's glorious perfections, and to teach them to praise him." Three things are mentioned in these verses as just matter for our praises, and each of them will admit of a double sense: -
I. We must praise God going up (Psa 47:5): God has gone up with a shout, which may refer, 1. To the carrying up of the ark to the hill of Zion, which was done with great solemnity, David himself dancing before it, the priests, it is likely, blowing the trumpets, and the people following with their loud huzzas. The ark being the instituted token of God's special presence with them, when that was brought up by warrant from him he might be said to go up. The emerging of God's ordinances out of obscurity, in order to the more public and solemn administration of them, is a great favour to any people, which they have reason to rejoice in and give thanks for. 2. To the ascension of our Lord Jesus into heaven, when he had finished his work on earth, Act 1:9. Then God went up with a shout, the shout of a King, of a conqueror, as one who, having spoiled principalities and powers, then led captivity captive, Psa 68:18. He went up as a Mediator, typified by the ark and the mercy-seat over it, and was brought as the ark was into the most holy place, into heaven itself; see Heb 9:24. We read not of a shout, or of the sound of a trumpet, at the ascension of Christ, but they were the inhabitants of the upper world, those sons of God, that then shouted for joy, Job 38:7. He shall come again in the same manner as he went (Act 1:11) and we are sure that he shall come again with a shout and the sound of a trumpet.
II. We must praise God reigning, Psa 47:7. 8. God is not only our King, and therefore we owe our homage to him, but he is King of all the earth (Psa 47:7), over all the kings of the earth, and therefore in every place the incense of praise is to be offered up to him. Now this may be understood, 1. Of the kingdom of providence. God, as Creator, and the God of nature, reigns over the heathen, disposes of them and all their affairs, as he pleases, though they know him not, nor have any regard to him: He sits upon the throne of his holiness, which he has prepared in the heavens, and there he rules over all, even over the heathen, serving his own purposes by them and upon them. See here the extent of God's government; all are born within his allegiance; even the heathen that serve other gods are ruled by the true God, our God, whether they will or no. See the equity of his government; it is a throne of holiness, on which he sits, whence he gives warrants, orders, and judgment, in which we are sure there is no iniquity. 2. Of the kingdom of the Messiah. Jesus Christ, who is God, and whose throne is for ever and ever reigns over the heathen; not only he is entrusted with the administration of the providential kingdom, but he shall set up the kingdom of his grace in the Gentile world, and rule in the hearts of multitudes that were bred up in heathenism, Eph 2:12, Eph 2:13. This the apostle speaks of as a great mystery that the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, Eph 3:6. Christ sits upon the throne of his holiness, his throne in the heavens, where all the administrations of his government are intended to show forth God's holiness and to advance holiness among the children of men.
III. We must praise God as attended and honoured by the princes of the people, Psa 47:9. This may be understood, 1. Of the congress or convention of the states of Israel, the heads and rulers of the several tribes, at the solemn feasts, or to despatch the public business of the nation. It was the honour of Israel that they were the people of the God of Abraham, as they were Abraham's seed and taken into his covenant; and, thanks be to God, this blessing of Abraham has come upon the isles of the Gentiles, Gal 3:14. It was their happiness that they had a settled government, princes of their people, who were the shields of their land. Magistracy is the shield of a nation, and it is a great mercy to any people to have this shield, especially when their princes, their shields, belong unto the Lord, are devoted to his honour, and their power is employed in his service, for then he is greatly exalted. It is likewise the honour of God that, in another sense, the shields of the earth do belong to him; magistracy is his institution, and he serves his own purposes by it in the government of the world, turning the hearts of kings as the rivers of water, which way soever he pleases. It was well with Israel when the princes of their people were gathered together to consult for the public welfare. The unanimous agreement of the great ones of a nation in the things that belong to its peace is a very happy omen, which promises abundance of blessings. 2. It may be applied to the calling of the Gentiles into the church of Christ, and taken as a prophecy that in the days of the Messiah the kings of the earth and their people should join themselves to the church, and bring their glory and power into the New Jerusalem, that they should all become the people of the God of Abraham, to whom it was promised that he should be the father of many nations. The volunteers of the people (so it may be read); it is the same word that is used in Psa 110:3, Thy people shall be willing; for those that are gathered to Christ are not forced, but made freely willing, to be his. When the shields of the earth, the ensigns of royal dignity ( Kg1 14:27, Kg1 14:28,), are surrendered to the Lord Jesus, as the keys of a city are presented to the conqueror or sovereign, when princes use their power for the advancement of the interests of religion, then Christ is greatly exalted.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–9. Public domain.
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Diodorus of TarsusAD 390
COMMENTARY ON PSALM 47
Since he had said “king,” he went on to say, not only ours but of “all the earth”: the one responsible for some people conquering and others being conquered, as he wishes, no matter from what quarter they mount their charge, how could he not be confessed as king of all? The phrase “sing with understanding” means with a sense of what has been done and keeping in mind the achievements.
Evagrius PonticusAD 399
CHAPTERS ON PRAYER 82
Pray as is fitting and without trouble, practice psalmody with understanding and harmony, and you will be like a young eagle soaring in the heights.
Nicetas of RemesianaAD 414
LITURGICAL SINGING 13
We must sing with our intelligences; not only with the spirit (in the sense of sound of our voice) but also with our mind. We must think about what we are singing, lest we lose by distracting talk and extraneous thoughts the fruit of our effort. The sound and melody of our singing must be suitably religious. It must not be melodramatic but a revelation of the true Christianity within. It must have nothing theatrical about it but should move us to sorrow for our sins. Of course, you must all sing in harmony, without discordant notes. One of you should not linger unreasonably on the notes while his neighbor is going too fast; nor should one of you sing too low while another is raising his voice. Each one should be asked to contribute his part in humility to the volume of the choir as a whole. No one should sing unbecomingly louder or slower than the rest, as though for vain ostentation or out of human respect. The whole service must be carried out in the presence of God, not with a view to pleasing people.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 47
"For God is the King of all the earth" [Psalm 47:7]. What? And before was He not God of all the earth? Is He not God of both heaven and earth, since by Him surely were all things made? Who can say that He is not his God? But not all men acknowledged Him their God; and where He was acknowledged, there only, so to say, He was God. "In Judah is God known." Not yet was it said to the sons of Korah, "O clap your hands, all you nations." For that God known in Judah, is King of all the earth: now by all He is acknowledged, for that is fulfilled which Isaiah says, "He is your God who has delivered you, the God of the whole earth shall He be called." [Isaiah 54:5] "Sing ye praises with understanding." He teaches us and warns us to sing praises with understanding, not to seek the sound of the ear, but the light of the heart. The Gentiles, whence you were called that you might be Christians, adored gods made with hands, and sang praises to them, but not with understanding. If they had sung with understanding, they had not adored stones. When a man sensible sang to a stone insensible, did he sing with understanding? But now, brethren, we see not with our eyes Whom we adore, and yet correctly we adore. Much more is God commended to us, that with our eyes we see Him not. If with our eyes we saw Him, haply we might despise. For even Christ seen, the Jews despised; unseen, the Gentiles adored.
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
SERMON 80:2
Let us, too, lift up our voices by singing or praying in church, so that our adversary, the devil, may depart in confusion at the holy sound. If not in deed, then surely in thought or word the devil usually creeps up to those who are silent or speak of idle, useless matters. When they are singing or praying he can in no way take advantage by his cunning of those whom he sees engaged mentally or vocally in God’s praises.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 47:7 encapsulates a profound theological truth and a corresponding call to worship: God's absolute and universal sovereignty as the unchallenged King over all the earth. This majestic reality serves as the foundational premise for the subsequent imperative, urging humanity to respond with praise that is not merely emotional or ritualistic, but deeply intelligent, insightful, and profoundly informed by a true understanding of His character, dominion, and works. It is an invitation to engage both heart and mind in adoration of the cosmic ruler.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 47:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse begins with a direct Declaration ("For God is the King of all the earth"), establishing an undeniable theological truth as the foundation for all that follows. This declaration functions as a Reason/Result Structure, where God's universal kingship (the reason) necessitates a specific form of worship (the result). Following this, an Imperative command ("sing ye praises") directly calls the audience to action, making the worship response an obligation stemming from God's nature. The phrase "all the earth" utilizes Universalism, emphasizing the boundless scope of God's dominion and the global nature of the call to worship, transcending any national or tribal limitations. Finally, the qualifying phrase "with understanding" acts as a Modifier, refining the nature of the commanded praise, ensuring it is not merely external but also internal, intellectual, and deeply meaningful, thus adding layers of spiritual depth and intentionality to the act of worship.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 47:7 stands as a powerful theological anchor, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over all creation. This truth profoundly impacts our understanding of history, human governance, and the ultimate destiny of the cosmos. If God is truly the King of all the earth, then no earthly power, no political system, and no human ideology can ultimately thwart His divine purposes. This reality offers immense comfort and stability in a turbulent world, reminding believers that a benevolent, omnipotent King is on the throne, actively governing His creation. Furthermore, the call to worship "with understanding" highlights that genuine faith is not blind or irrational; it is deeply informed by truth and knowledge of God's character. This intellectual engagement in worship fosters a more profound relationship with God, moving beyond superficial emotion to a rich, thoughtful, and transformative encounter with the divine. It implies that true worship flows from a mind illuminated by God's truth and a heart captivated by His glory.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 47:7 challenges believers to live in light of God's universal kingship, transforming our perspective on every aspect of life. When we truly grasp that God is the King of all the earth, our anxieties about global crises, political instability, or personal struggles diminish, replaced by a profound trust in His ultimate control and wise governance. This truth should inspire not only our worship but also our daily walk, prompting us to live as citizens of His kingdom, reflecting His values of justice, righteousness, and love in every sphere of influence. To "sing praises with understanding" means cultivating a worship life that is both passionate and purposeful. It requires diligent study of His Word, thoughtful meditation on His attributes, and a conscious effort to align our hearts and minds with His truth. Our praise should be an informed response to His majesty, a declaration of His reign that resonates from deep within our being, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions, making our entire lives an act of intelligent worship.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is "understanding" so important in worship, and what does it truly mean in the context of Psalms 47:7?
Answer: The call to worship "with understanding" (Hebrew: maskil, from the root sâkal) in Psalms 47:7 is crucial because it elevates worship beyond a mere emotional outburst or a ritualistic performance. It means engaging one's intellect, wisdom, and insight in the act of praise. True understanding in worship stems from a deep knowledge of God's character, His attributes, His works (creation, redemption, providence), and His covenant promises. It implies that our praise should be informed by truth, not just feeling. When we worship with understanding, our adoration is grounded in who God truly is, leading to a more profound and meaningful connection with Him. This concept resonates with New Testament teachings, such as Paul's emphasis on praying and singing with the understanding, which contrasts with speaking in tongues without interpretation. It ensures that our worship is not just an experience, but a thoughtful and intentional act of homage to the sovereign King of the universe, rooted in a comprehensive grasp of His identity and dominion.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 47:7, with its declaration of God as "King of all the earth" and its call to intelligent praise, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament proclaims Yahweh's universal kingship, the New Testament reveals that this divine dominion is now fully vested in the Son. Jesus, the incarnate God, is the one to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given following His resurrection. His life, death, resurrection, and ascension establish His cosmic reign, making Him the head over every rule and authority and the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power. The call to "sing praises with understanding" becomes a call to worship Christ, who is the very embodiment of divine wisdom and truth, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Our understanding of God's kingship is perfected in understanding the person and work of Jesus, the Lamb who was slain and is now enthroned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Therefore, Christian worship, in its deepest sense, is a Christ-centered act of intelligent adoration, acknowledging His present reign and anticipating the glorious day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship.