Heavenly Devotion: Psalm 47 – God is King Over All the Earth

(Written by Dexter Ng)

Psalm 47 celebrates the kingship of God.

All people, may all that is within us be stirred up to praise God, cheerfully and publicly! 

Everyone, give applause to God by clapping for joy. Do shout triumphant praises at the top of your lungs to the Lord God Most High that others may hear and join in. He alone is the great King over all the earth.  He is superior and powerful over all other kings. He crushed Israel’s hostile nations and put them under her feet.

He had chosen the land of Canaan as her inheritance. In like manner, as His subjects in-Christ, He loves us and is concerned about us. He has chosen for us an inheritance incorruptible. When we reflect on the Lord’s mighty acts of salvation – past, present, and future – we can’t help but to acclaim that He is an awesome God-King. This is a reason for our joy in our King that is to be proclaimed publicly.

All people, may all that is within us be stirred up to praise God, not just publicly but intelligently too. Praise Him with understanding. We must praise God-King for His ascension. There were loud cheers when the Ark was brought up to the summit of Mount Zion. Likewise, our Lord has ascended to His heavenly palace with “shouts of joy” and “sounding of the trumpets” when He had finished His work here on earth. Shout God’s song to Him. The King is victorious.

We must praise God reigning. Our Lord King rules the earth. His ascension into His holy, heavenly palace and His rule over the earth tell about His universal dominion. Although His throne is in heaven, His footstool extends to earth. He is the Lord God-King Almighty.

We must praise God for princes around the world gathered to acknowledge the Lord’s kingship. They have joined with the Israelites in the praise and worship of the God of Abraham. Ultimately, all nations are the subjects of God’s rule and reign. God the King is exalted over all.

Let’s Read Psalm 47

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 Clap your hands, all you nations;
    shout to God with cries of joy.

2 For the Lord Most High is awesome,
    the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdued nations under us,
    peoples under our feet.
4 He chose our inheritance for us,
    the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.

5 God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
    the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.

8 God reigns over the nations;
    God is seated on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
    as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
    he is greatly exalted.

Let’s Pray

O Heavenly Father, we turn our gaze upward to focus on Your kingship. We look at You and our heart cries out in godly reverence and fear: “You are supreme over all other earthly kings.” We long for the full establishment of Your rule on earth. In anticipation of that, we now joyfully acclaim You the Great King by clapping our hands and shout joyously a victory cheer.

You have done great and might acts. You had in the past given land to Your people as an inheritance because of Your deep love for them. Likewise, we as Your children, we are sure to receive an inheritance from You. You have reserved the priceless gift of eternal life; kept in heaven for us, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. Thank You, my Great King.

The Lord is victorious. You had ascended to Your heavenly palace. Though You are not here with us, we pay homage to You by singing Your praises.

O Lord, You are the King over the nations and they must acclaim Your sovereignty and discern that You are different from all other gods, as You are seated on Your holy throne. Although Your throne is in heaven, Your footstool extends to earth. You are the Lord of these godless nations. May all the nobles and kings of earth acknowledge Your kingship for all nations are under the subjects of Your rule, whether they recognise it or not. God, You are exalted, truly You are the Lord Most High. My Father and my God, imprint these truths upon our hearts so that we will be gripped and mastered by these important convictions. In the name of Jesus, our Shepherd-King, we pray. Amen