Psalms 47:3

He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

He shall subdue {H1696}{H8686)} the people {H5971} under us, and the nations {H3816} under our feet {H7272}.

He makes peoples subject to us, puts nations under our feet.

He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet.

He subdueth peoples under us, And nations under our feet.

Commentary

Psalms 47:3 (KJV) declares God's mighty power and His active role in establishing the dominion of His chosen people. It states, "He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet." This verse is a powerful affirmation of divine sovereignty and anticipated triumph.

Context

Psalm 47 is an enthronement psalm, often associated with the celebration of God's kingship over all the earth. It is believed to have been sung during processions, perhaps when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence and reign. The preceding verses call for all people to clap their hands and shout to God with a voice of triumph, recognizing Him as the "great King over all the earth" (Psalms 47:2). Verse 3 naturally follows this declaration, outlining the practical manifestation of His kingship: the subduing of opposition.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Power: The central theme is God's absolute control. It is "He" (God) who performs the action of subduing, emphasizing that victory and dominion come from Him alone, not human strength.
  • Victory and Dominion: The imagery of "subdue the people under us" and "nations under our feet" vividly portrays complete conquest and control. This speaks to God's ability to overcome all opposition and establish His will.
  • Exaltation of God's People: While God is the agent, the outcome benefits "us" โ€“ His chosen people, Israel. This highlights God's covenant faithfulness and His promise to protect and exalt those who belong to Him.
  • Universal Scope: The mention of "people" and "nations" signifies that God's dominion is not limited to one group or region but extends globally.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "subdue" is kana' (ื›ึธึผื ึทืข), which means to humble, bring low, or subjugate. It implies a forceful yet righteous act of bringing into submission. The phrase "under our feet" is a common biblical idiom signifying complete victory and subjugation of enemies, often seen in ancient Near Eastern cultures where conquerors would place their foot on the neck or back of a vanquished foe. This imagery underscores the totality of the triumph God grants.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds echoes throughout Scripture, particularly in prophecies concerning God's ultimate reign and the Messianic kingdom. The concept of God placing enemies under the feet of His anointed one is powerfully echoed in the New Testament, particularly concerning Christ's reign until all enemies are subdued. Similarly, the promise of God's people inheriting the earth and having dominion over nations is a recurring theme, seen in prophetic books like Isaiah 60:12 and ultimately fulfilled in the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 47:3 offers profound comfort and assurance. It reminds us that:

  • God is in Control: Even amidst global turmoil or personal struggles, God remains sovereign. He has the power to subdue all opposition, whether spiritual, political, or personal.
  • Victory Belongs to God: Our hope is not in human strength or political systems, but in the Lord who fights for us. We are called to trust in His power to overcome.
  • Future Hope: This verse points to a future reality where God's dominion will be fully established, and all forms of evil and rebellion will be brought to nothing. This gives us hope in the ultimate triumph of righteousness and peace.
It encourages us to worship God as the supreme King, confident in His ability to bring all things into submission to His perfect will.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 15:25 (4 votes)

    For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

  • Psalms 18:47 (4 votes)

    [It is] God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me.

  • Psalms 81:14 (3 votes)

    I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

  • Psalms 110:1 (3 votes)

    ยถ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

  • Philippians 3:21 (1 votes)

    Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

  • Deuteronomy 33:29 (1 votes)

    Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

  • Joshua 10:24 (1 votes)

    And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.