Day 104

Psalm 47 Part 2

In v3-4 the author looked forward to the time when the righteous reign of the great King would be exercised over all the earth, and Israel would assume its destined place of leadership among the nations. Without doubt, the psalmist knew that this great King would be the Messiah. We look back at the fulfilment of the promise to send the Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the great King who will rule the earth and subdue the nations. On the cross, the Romans inscribed, “The King of the Jews” in the 3 universal languages. In Him, we have OUR ‘chosen inheritance.’ C.f.Eph 3:3-6.

Why does God so love Jacob? (v4) Why does God so love the church? Why does God so love the world? The answer is that the reasons for His love are in Him, and not in the ones whom He loves.

Jesus ascended the royal throne in heaven after He finished His work for us on the cross and proved it by the empty tomb. He can only go up with a shout because He came down in humility to fight for His people and to save them. The ‘sound of trumpet’ is the sound of victory (C.F.1Thess4:16-17)

Paul had the Septuagint translation of the phrase in v7 in mind when he wrote in 1 Corinthians14:15, I will also sing with understanding. (Ps47:7NKJV)

‘God reigns over the nations:’(v8) The LORD is not King of all the earth in only a passive or ceremonial sense. He reigns over the nations; silently and patiently moving history towards His desired conclusion. When John had his heavenly vision (Rev4 and 5,) he described everything in heaven in relation to this occupied throne. The centre of heaven – indeed, the centre of all creation – is this occupied throne in heaven. God sits upon the throne; it is not empty. He is not an empty or ceremonial ruler. It is the ‘throne of grace’ (Heb4:16) to which we boldly come.

V:9 is the abundant fulfilment of the promise of Genesis 12:3; it anticipates what Paul expounds of the inclusion of the Gentiles as Abraham’s sons (Rom4:11; Gal 3:7-9). Is God sovereign of your life?