Psalms 47:6

KJV

Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

KJV (with Strong's)

Sing praises {H2167}{H8761)} to God {H430}, sing praises {H2167}{H8761)}: sing praises {H2167}{H8761)} unto our King {H4428}, sing praises {H2167}{H8761)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our king, sing praises!

Berean Standard Bible

Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises!

American Standard Version

Sing praises to God, sing praises: Sing praises unto our King, sing praises.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 47:6 is a powerful and emphatic call to worship, urging God's people to offer fervent and continuous praise to Him. The fourfold repetition of "sing praises" underscores the profound importance and non-negotiable nature of this command, inviting believers to acknowledge God's supreme authority and rightful reign as both the universal God and "our King" with enthusiastic adoration and deep reverence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 47 is widely categorized as an enthronement psalm, celebrating God's sovereign reign over all nations. It likely served a significant liturgical role in ancient Israelite worship, possibly during a festival commemorating God's kingship and His triumphs. The preceding verses, [Psalms 47:1-5](/psalms/47-1-5 "Psalm 47:1-5 - God's Universal Triumph"), vividly depict the nations responding with clapping and shouts of joy as God subdues them and chooses an inheritance for Jacob. This sets the stage for verse 6, which functions as a direct, imperative exhortation for the worshipping community to respond to God's glorious acts with fervent and intentional praise. The psalm continues to elaborate on God's universal reign in [Psalms 47:7-9](/psalms/47-7-9 "Psalm 47:7-9 - God Reigns Over All the Earth"), providing further theological grounding for the command to praise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed for a people living in a world dominated by polytheism and competing national deities, Psalms 47 would have profoundly affirmed the unique sovereignty of YHWH, the God of Israel. The concept of God as "King" was not merely a spiritual metaphor but a political and cosmic reality for the Israelites, contrasting sharply with the limited, often capricious, gods of their neighbors. Ancient Israelite worship involved vibrant communal participation, often accompanied by musical instruments and shouts of joy, especially during major festivals like the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrated God's kingship and provision. The psalm's emphasis on God's reign over "the heathen" (v. 8) reflects Israel's understanding of their God's ultimate authority even over nations that did not acknowledge Him, providing comfort and confidence in a turbulent geopolitical landscape.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme of [Psalms 47](/psalms/47 "Psalm 47 - God, the King Over All the Earth") and particularly verse 6 is the **Exhortation to Praise** and the **Sovereignty of God**. The repeated command "sing praises" is not a mere suggestion but an urgent, emphatic call to worship, highlighting the fundamental duty and joyous privilege of God's people to express adoration. This praise is rooted in the recognition of God's supreme authority, explicitly stated as "our King," underscoring His rightful rule over His people and the entire earth. This theme of **God's Universal Kingship** is paramount, extending beyond Israel to encompass all nations, as seen in [Psalms 47:7-8](/psalms/47-7-8 "Psalm 47:7-8 - God Reigns Over the Nations"). The insistent repetition also conveys the theme of **Fervent Worship**, implying a deep, continuous, and enthusiastic form of praise that flows from a heart filled with joy, reverence, and an understanding of God's ultimate power and glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sing praises (Hebrew, _zâmar'_):** This imperative verb comes from the primitive root H2167, which properly means "to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument," hence "to play upon it." It signifies making music, often accompanied by the voice, to celebrate in song and music, or to give praise. The plural imperative form in the verse, `zammeru`, addresses the entire community, calling for a unified, full-bodied, and joyous expression of adoration, incorporating both vocal and instrumental worship.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This is H430, the plural form of `ʼĕlôah`, used here specifically of the supreme God. While it can refer to "gods in the ordinary sense," its use in this context, especially with the definite article implicitly referring to YHWH, emphasizes the universal nature of the deity being praised – He is not merely a tribal god, but the Creator and Sovereign of all. The call to praise "Elohim" signifies acknowledging His ultimate power and authority over all creation and all peoples.
* **King (Hebrew, _melek'_):** This word, H4428, means "a king" or "royal." In the phrase "our King" (`malkenu`), it adds a profound layer of intimacy and covenantal relationship to God's universal sovereignty. While God is the King of all the earth, for Israel, He is specifically "our King." This personal possessive pronoun signifies a unique bond and allegiance, transforming the command to praise into an act of loyal devotion to the one who rules over their lives and destiny, highlighting His role as both transcendent ruler and immanent covenant Lord.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Sing praises to God, sing praises:"** This opening phrase establishes the immediate and urgent command for the worshipping community. The repetition here is not redundant but serves to intensify the call, emphasizing the absolute necessity and primary importance of offering praise to `ʼĕlôhîym`, the supreme deity. It is a direct and forceful summons to worship the universal sovereign.
* **"sing praises unto our King, sing praises."** The second half of the verse reiterates the command, but with a crucial addition: the object of praise is now explicitly identified as "our King." This clarifies that the universal God is also the personal, covenantal ruler of His people. The repeated imperative reinforces the continuous and enthusiastic nature of the required worship, urging believers to acknowledge both God's transcendent power and His immanent relationship with them through fervent adoration.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Psalms 47:6 is **Epizeuxis**, the immediate repetition of a word or phrase for emphasis. The phrase "sing praises" (Hebrew: `zammeru`) is repeated four times within this single verse, creating an undeniable sense of urgency, intensity, and continuity. This emphatic repetition serves to drive home the central message, ensuring that the command to worship God as King is not merely heard but felt and acted upon with profound commitment. Furthermore, the verse employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, where the second half of the verse ("sing praises unto our King, sing praises") echoes and elaborates on the first half ("Sing praises to God, sing praises"). While repeating the core command, the shift from "God" to "our King" adds nuance, deepening the understanding of *who* is to be praised and *why*, reinforcing God's dual identity as both universal Sovereign and covenantal ruler. The entire verse is also delivered in the **Imperative Mood**, functioning as a direct command rather than a suggestion, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of this call to worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 47:6 powerfully encapsulates the biblical truth that God's supreme kingship demands the fervent and continuous praise of His people. The repeated command to "sing praises" is not arbitrary but flows directly from the recognition of His unparalleled sovereignty over all creation and His intimate, covenantal relationship as "our King." This verse connects deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's reign, from creation to consummation, where His ultimate authority is the foundation for all worship. Our praise is a response to His inherent worthiness, His mighty acts of salvation, and His ongoing governance of the universe. It is an act of submission, adoration, and joyful acknowledgment of His rightful place on the throne, a recognition that His dominion is absolute and eternal.

* [Psalm 93:1](/psalms/93-1 "The Lord Reigns")
* [Psalm 150:6](/psalms/150-6 "Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord")
* [Revelation 19:6](/revelation/19-6 "The Lord God Omnipotent Reigns")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 47:6 serves as a timeless and urgent reminder to believers of their fundamental call to worship God with unreserved enthusiasm. In a world often characterized by chaos, uncertainty, and competing allegiances, this verse anchors our hearts in the unwavering truth of God's supreme sovereignty. Recognizing Him as "our King" transforms our perspective, inviting us to trust His rule over every circumstance, both personal and global. The insistent repetition challenges us to move beyond perfunctory praise to a deep, continuous, and intentional adoration that acknowledges His rightful place on the throne of our lives and the universe. Our worship should not be confined to a specific time or place but should permeate our daily existence, reflecting a heart that understands and celebrates God's ultimate authority and goodness. This verse encourages us to engage in worship that is not merely vocal but encompasses our entire being, reflecting the full-bodied praise implied by the Hebrew "sing praises" (with instruments).

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God as "our King" deepen your worship and submission to His will in your daily life?**
* **In what practical ways can you "sing praises" to God continuously, beyond just musical expression, throughout your week?**
* **How does the emphatic repetition in this verse challenge or encourage your current approach to praise and adoration?**
* **What specific aspect of God's kingship (e.g., His power, justice, love, or faithfulness) motivates your praise the most?**

### FAQ
**Why is "sing praises" repeated so many times in this single verse?**

Answer: The fourfold repetition of "sing praises" (Hebrew: `zammeru`) is a powerful rhetorical device known as **epizeuxis**. Its purpose is to create intense emphasis, convey urgency, and underscore the overwhelming importance of the command to worship. It's not mere redundancy but a deliberate literary choice to impress upon the reader or listener the continuous, fervent, and all-encompassing nature of the praise due to God. This insistent call reflects a deep spiritual truth: worship is not a casual suggestion but a vital, central, and continuous response to God's identity as the universal God and "our King." This echoes similar calls for wholehearted devotion found elsewhere in Scripture, such as the command to love the Lord with all one's heart, soul, and might in [Deuteronomy 6:5](/deuteronomy/6-5 "Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the Lord with All Your Heart").

**What does "our King" signify in this context, especially since God is also called "God"?**

Answer: The dual designation of God as both "God" (`ʼĕlôhîym`) and "our King" (`malkenu`) in Psalms 47:6 is highly significant. "God" (`ʼĕlôhîym`) emphasizes His universal deity, His supreme power, and His rule over all creation and all nations, as further highlighted in [Psalms 47:7-8](/psalms/47-7-8 "Psalm 47:7-8 - God Reigns Over the Nations"). However, "our King" adds a crucial layer of intimate, covenantal relationship. For Israel, God was not just a distant, generic deity but their personal, chosen, and reigning monarch who had delivered them, established a covenant with them, and guided their history. This phrase signifies allegiance, loyalty, and a deep personal bond that transforms universal awe into devoted worship. It reminds the worshiper that the transcendent God is also immanently involved in their lives, ruling over them with care and justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The fervent call to "sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Psalms 47 celebrates God's universal kingship, the New Testament reveals that this divine reign is fully embodied and established through the person and work of Jesus. He is the prophesied King of Israel, born as the [King of the Jews](/matthew/2-2 "Matthew 2:2 - King of the Jews"), whose kingdom is not of this world yet ultimately reigns over it ([John 18:37](/john/18-37 "John 18:37 - Jesus' Kingship")). Through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus has decisively defeated the powers of sin and death, demonstrating God's supreme authority and establishing His reign in the hearts of believers. Our praise, therefore, is now directed to the Father *through* the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), is also the Lion of Judah, the reigning King to whom every knee will bow and every tongue confess ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Will Bow")). The ultimate vision of God's kingship, where the "kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ" ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Has Become the Kingdom of Our Lord")), is realized in Christ's triumphant return, making the call to "sing praises to our King" an eternal anthem for the redeemed.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 25:34

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Psalms 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Isaiah 33:22

For the LORD [is] our judge, the LORD [is] our lawgiver, the LORD [is] our king; he will save us.

Psalms 117:1

¶ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.

Psalms 117:2

For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD [endureth] for ever. Praise ye the LORD.

Psalms 145:1

¶ David's [Psalm] of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Matthew 27:37

And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.