Bible History
Bible History

Psalm 47 - New English Translation (NET)

You are here: Home New English Translation (NET) Psalm 47

Psalm 47[a]

For the music director, by the Korahites; a psalm.

47 All you nations, clap your hands.
Shout out to God in celebration.[b]
2 For the Lord Most High[c] is awe-inspiring;[d]
he is the great king who rules the whole earth![e]
3 He subdued nations beneath us[f]
and countries[g] under our feet.
4 He picked out for us a special land[h]
to be a source of pride for[i] Jacob,[j] whom he loves.[k] (Selah)
5 God has ascended his throne[l] amid loud shouts;[m]
the Lord has ascended amid the blaring of ram’s horns.[n]
6 Sing to God! Sing!
Sing to our king! Sing!
7 For God is king of the whole earth.
Sing a well-written song.[o]
8 God reigns[p] over the nations.
God sits on his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the nations assemble,
along with the people of the God of Abraham,[q]
for God has authority over the rulers[r] of the earth.
He is highly exalted.[s]

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 47:1 sn Psalm 47. In this hymn the covenant community praises the Lord as the exalted king of the earth who has given them victory over the nations and a land in which to live.
  2. Psalm 47:1 tn Heb “Shout to God with [the] sound of a ringing cry!”
  3. Psalm 47:2 sn The divine title “Most High” (עֶלְיוֹן, ʿelyon) pictures the Lord as the exalted ruler of the universe who vindicates the innocent and judges the wicked.
  4. Psalm 47:2 tn Or “awesome.” The Niphal participle נוֹרָא (noraʾ), when used of God in the psalms, focuses on the effect that his royal splendor and powerful deeds have on those witnessing his acts (Pss 66:3, 5; 68:35; 76:7, 12; 89:7; 96:4; 99:3; 111:9). Here it refers to his capacity to fill his defeated foes with terror and his people with fearful respect.
  5. Psalm 47:2 tn Heb “a great king over all the earth.”
  6. Psalm 47:3 tn On the meaning of the verb דָּבַר (davar, “subdue”), a homonym of דָּבַר (“speak”), see HALOT 209-10 s.v. I דבר. See also Ps 18:47 and 2 Chr 22:10. The preterite form of the verb suggests this is an historical reference and the next verse, which mentions the gift of the land, indicates that the conquest under Joshua is in view.
  7. Psalm 47:3 tn Or “peoples” (see Pss 2:1; 7:7; 9:8; 44:2).
  8. Psalm 47:4 tn Heb “he chose for us our inheritance.” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a preterite (see “subdued” in v. 3).
  9. Psalm 47:4 tn Heb “the pride of.” The phrase is appositional to “our inheritance,” indicating that the land is here described as a source of pride to God’s people.
  10. Psalm 47:4 tn That is, Israel.
  11. Psalm 47:4 sn Jacob whom he loves. The Lord’s covenantal devotion to his people is in view.
  12. Psalm 47:5 sn God ascended his throne. In the context of vv. 3-4, which refer to the conquest of the land under Joshua, v. 5 is best understood as referring to an historical event. When the Lord conquered the land and placed his people in it, he assumed a position of kingship, as predicted by Moses (see Exod 15:17-18, as well as Ps 114:1-2). That event is here described metaphorically in terms of a typical coronation ceremony for an earthly king (see 2 Sam 15:10; 2 Kgs 9:13). Verses 1-2, 8-9 focus on God’s continuing kingship, which extends over all nations.
  13. Psalm 47:5 tn Heb “God ascended amid a shout.” The words “his throne” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The Lord’s coronation as king is described here (see v. 8). Here the perfect probably has a present perfect function, indicating a completed action with continuing effects.
  14. Psalm 47:5 tn Heb “the Lord amid the sound of the ram horn.” The verb “ascended” is understood by ellipsis; see the preceding line.
  15. Psalm 47:7 tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term also occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142. Here, in a context of celebration, the meaning “skillful, well-written” would fit particularly well.
  16. Psalm 47:8 tn When a new king was enthroned, his followers would acclaim him king using this enthronement formula (Qal perfect 3ms מָלַךְ, malakh, “to reign,” followed by the name of the king). See 2 Sam 15:10; 1 Kgs 1:11, 13, 18; 2 Kgs 9:13, as well as Isa 52:7. In this context the perfect verbal form is generalizing, but the declaration logically follows the historical reference in v. 5 to the Lord’s having ascended his throne.
  17. Psalm 47:9 tc The words “along with” do not appear in the MT. However, the LXX has “with,” suggesting that the original text may have read עִם עַם (ʿim ʿam, “along with the people”). In this case the MT is haplographic, having dropped one set of עם (ʿayin-mem). Another option is that the LXX is simply and correctly interpreting “people” as an adverbial accusative and supplying the appropriate preposition.
  18. Psalm 47:9 tn Heb “for to God [belong] the shields of the earth.” Perhaps the rulers are called “shields” because they are responsible for protecting their people. See Ps 84:9, where the Davidic king is called “our shield,” and perhaps also Hos 4:18.
  19. Psalm 47:9 tn The verb עָלָה (ʿalah, “ascend”) appears once more (see v. 5), though now in the Niphal stem.

You Might Also Like:

Psalm 47 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

47 To the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. A Psalm. All ye peoples, clap the hand, Shout to God with a voice of singing, 2 For Jehovah Most High [is] fearful, A great king over all the earth. 3 He leadeth peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He doth choose for us our inheritance, The excell...
Read More

Psalm 47 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

47 To victory, a psalm to the sons of Korah. All ye folks, make joy with hands; sing ye heartily to God in the voice of full out joying. (To victory, a song for the sons of Korah. All ye nations, make joy with your hands/clap with your hands; sing ye heartily to God with a joyful voice.) 2 For the L...
Read More

Psalm 47 - World English Bible (WEB)

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.47 Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.3 He subdues nations under us, and peoples under our feet.4 He chooses our inheritance for us, ...
Read More

Psalm 47 - The Voice (VOICE)

Psalm 47For the worship leader. A song of the sons of Korah.1 Clap your hands, all of you; raise your voices joyfully and loudly.Give honor for the True God of the universe;2 Here’s why: The Eternal, the Most High, is awesome and deserves our great respect. He is the great King over everything in th...
Read More

Psalm 47 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

In Celebration of God’s ReignPsalm 471 For the music director, a psalm for the sons of Korah.2 Clap your hands, all you peoples!Shout to God with the voice of joy!3 For Adonai Elyon is awesome,a great King over all the earth.4 He subdues peoples under us,and nations under our feet.5 He chooses our i...
Read More

Psalm 47 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

God’s Rule over the NationsTo the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.47 Clap your hands, all peoples!Shout to God with loud songs of joy!2 For the Lord, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4 He chose our heritag...
Read More

Psalm 47 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

God’s Rule over the NationsTo the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.47 Clap your hands, all peoples!Shout to God with loud songs of joy!2 For the Lord, the Most High, is terrible, a great king over all the earth.3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4 He chose our heritag...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE)

Psalm 47God’s Rule over the NationsTo the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.2 For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4 He chose our heri...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 47God’s Rule over the NationsTo the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.2 For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.4 He chose our heri...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Psalm 47God’s Rule over the NationsTo the leader. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with loud songs of joy.(A)2 For the Lord, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.(B)3 He subdued peoples under us and nations under our feet.(C)4 He chose ...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 47For the choir director: A psalm of the descendants of Korah.1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.3 He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet.4 He chose the Pr...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Life Version (NLV)

God—the King of the Earth47 Show your happiness, all peoples! Call out to God with the voice of joy! 2 For the Lord Most High is to be feared. He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He sets people under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chooses for us what is to be ours, the pride of Jacob, ...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Praise to God, the Ruler of the EarthTo the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.47 Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!Shout to God with the voice of triumph!2 For the Lord Most High is awesome;He is a great (A)King over all the earth.3 (B)He will subdue the peoples under us,And the nation...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Psalm 47[a]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 ...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 47[a]For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.1 Clap your hands,(A) all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.(B) 2 For the Lord Most High(C) is awesome,(D) the great King(E) over all the earth.3 He subdued(F) nations under us, peoples under our feet.4 He chose our inheri...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 47For the director of music. A psalm of the Sons of Korah.1 Clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with cries of joy.2 Do this because the Lord Most High is wonderful. He is the great King over the whole earth.3 He brought nations under our control. He made them fall under us.4 He chos...
Read More

Psalm 47 - New Century Version (NCV)

God, the King of the WorldFor the director of music. A psalm of the sons of Korah.47 Clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with joy.2 The Lord Most High is wonderful. He is the great King over all the earth!3 He defeated nations for us and put them under our control.4 He chose the land we wo...
Read More

61 Bible Translations

Popular Articles

Explore the Bible Like Never Before!

Bible History Online

Bible Study Tools

Top Tags