Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible · Psalms Kabanata 47

Psalms 47:0.

The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of Christ.

To the chief musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

Title. מזמר קרח לבני למנצח lamnatseach libnei korach mizmor.— This psalm, says Bishop Patrick, is thought by some to have been composed by David, when he translated the ark to mount Sion: Others think that it was composed by some of the sons of Korah, when the ark was brought from mount Sion to Solomon's temple. The psalm, however, is supposed to have a higher sense; for, as the ark was a figure of Christ, and mount Sion of the heavens, the translation or carrying back of the ark thither may be looked upon as a figure of Christ's ascension into the high and holy place.

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Psalms 47:2. The Lord most high is terrible— Is to be feared—to be revered—to be held in awe. Fenwick, Mudge, &c.

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Psalms 47:3. He shall subdue, &c.— The inspired author of the psalm takes occasion to praise God for calling the Gentiles in the time of the Messiah, which, by the Holy Spirit, was then revealed to him. As if he had said, "He, this great God, who is to be revered by all people, to whom all knees shall bow, who is constituted and appointed King over all the earth, he shall render all the nations of the world subject to the rules which shall be delivered under his authority by persons of our country; from whence his all-subduing law shall go forth."

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Psalms 47:4. He shall choose our inheritance— "He shall make us to dwell safely in this good land of Canaan, which he hath given us; and which is a type of that heavenly country, to which both Jews and Gentiles shall at length be translated."

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Psalms 47:5. God is gone up with a shout— That is, primarily, the ark, which is the precious token of God's presence, is joyfully carried into the holy place; and, secondarily, it is a song of praise for the exaltation of the King of Glory into heaven.

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