Read
(A psalm by the clan of Korah and for the music leader.)
God Rules the Nations
1All of you nations,
clap your hands and shout
joyful praises to God.
2The Lord Most High is fearsome,
the ruler of all the earth.
3God has put every nation
under our power,
4and he chose for us the land
that was the pride of Jacob,
his favorite.
5God goes up to his throne,
as people shout
and trumpets blast.
6Sing praises to God our King,
7the ruler of all the earth!
Praise God with songs.
8God rules the nations
from his sacred throne.
9Their leaders come together
and are now the people
of Abraham's God.
All rulers on earth
surrender their weapons,
and God is greatly praised!
Reflect
Something wonderful has happened and the news is spreading around the world! The nations are invited to a great celebration. No one is to attend as spectator. Oh no! Everyone is summoned to clap and shout joyfully!
This Psalm carries the reverberating sounds of celebration signaling the end of a long battle. Even the weary finds the strength to praise the victorious King who subdued and conquered the enemy.
Bible commentators suggest that this Psalm may have been written as a celebration of past victories and deliverances of God in history. It may have been composed as a song of rejoicing to accompany the procession of the ark into the sanctuary. Perhaps both. But a third great and formidable event is being acknowledged in Psalm 47 – the coming universal reign of God.
The Psalmist writes, “Sing praises to God our King, the ruler of all the earth!” Can you hear echoes of the chorus of Revelation in this passage? “Now the kingdom of this world belongs to our Lord and to his Chosen One! And he will rule forever and ever!” (Revelations 11:15)
Many people have found great comfort in this song, which is full of promise for the future. God’s precious people will not always suffer because of righteousness but will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:10). A day is coming when all wars will cease and God will drive out the prince of this world. (John 12:31)
There will be a universal acknowledgement of God’s kingship. “All rulers on earth surrender their weapons, and God is greatly praised!” (Psalm 47:9) We can take great comfort in this. One day, as Paul also says in Philippians 2:10-11, everyone will bow down, and to the glory of God the Father, everyone will openly agree, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’
Respond
Dear Father, ruler of all the earth; I trust in you to subdue the enemy of my soul, everyday. As I go about my life show me how to help others trust in your love. Through Jesus our Lord and King. Amen.
Jacqueline Dugas
Jacqueline Dugas is Vice President and Director of Ministries at Every Home for Christ International/Canada (EHC), where she has served on the executive leadership team for more than two decades. Her ministry work involves speaking and writing for a trans-denominational and international audience on the broad topic of knowing God and making Jesus known everywhere. Jacqueline has authored 7 Days with Jesus, written as a follow up resource for Finding the Hope, EHC’s evangelism outreach in Canada and abroad. She has co-authored the widely used evangelism booklet, Finding the Hope, and the Finding the Hope Personal Kit, both published in multiple languages. She is co-producer of EHC’s monthly publication, Harvest Partner.