Psalms 47:1

¶ To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)}, A Psalm {H4210} for the sons {H1121} of Korah {H7141}. O clap {H8628}{H8798)} your hands {H3709}, all ye people {H5971}; shout {H7321}{H8685)} unto God {H430} with the voice {H6963} of triumph {H7440}.

For the leader. A psalm of the descendants of Korach: Clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with cries of joy!

Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph.

Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Context

Psalm 47:1 serves as a vibrant opening to a psalm often identified as an "Enthronement Psalm," celebrating God's reign as King over all the earth. The superscription, "To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah," indicates its liturgical purpose for public worship, likely accompanied by music. The Sons of Korah were a prominent family of Levites designated for temple service, particularly as musicians and gatekeepers, suggesting this psalm was central to Israel's communal praise.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Call to Worship: The command "O clap your hands, all ye people" extends beyond Israel, inviting or commanding all nations to participate in the worship of God. This highlights God's universal sovereignty and the global scope of His kingdom.
  • Joyful Acclamation: The actions of "clapping hands" and "shouting unto God" are expressions of exuberant, physical, and unrestrained joy. This isn't somber reverence but a boisterous celebration of God's triumph and majesty.
  • Triumph and Sovereignty: The phrase "voice of triumph" immediately sets a tone of victory and celebration. It anticipates the themes of God's ascension and reign over the nations detailed in the subsequent verses of Psalm 47, asserting His ultimate authority and successful dominion.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Clap your hands" (תִּקְעוּ כַף - tiq'u kaph): This Hebrew idiom literally means "strike the palm" or "strike the hand." It was an ancient gesture of applause, signifying enthusiastic approval, joy, and even a sign of coronation, as seen when Joash was crowned king in 2 Kings 11:12. It conveys a strong sense of communal affirmation and delight.
  • "Shout unto God with the voice of triumph" (הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹהִים בְּקוֹל רִנָּה - hari'u le'elohim b'qol rinnah):
    • Hari'u (from the root rua') means to shout, raise a war-cry, or give a shout of joy. It often denotes a loud, often military, acclamation or the sound of a trumpet blast, such as the shout that brought down the walls of Jericho.
    • Rinnah refers to a ringing cry, joyful shout, or singing.
    Together, these words evoke a resounding, jubilant declaration of God's victory and sovereign rule, akin to the joyous noise accompanying a king's enthronement or a victorious army's return.

Practical Application

Psalm 47:1 calls believers to an expressive and heartfelt worship that mirrors the exuberant nature of God's triumph. It reminds us that our worship should not be confined by cultural norms but should reflect the boundless joy and awe we have for God's supreme authority. In a world full of challenges, this verse encourages us to acknowledge God's ultimate reign and respond with a "voice of triumph," knowing that His victory is assured and His kingdom prevails over all.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 98:4

    ¶ Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

  • Psalms 106:47

    Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, [and] to triumph in thy praise.

  • Jeremiah 31:7

    For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.

  • Psalms 46:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

  • Isaiah 55:12

    For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap [their] hands.

  • Revelation 19:1

    ¶ And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

  • Revelation 19:2

    For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

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