Scripture: Psalm 47

Aim: To remind the pupil that Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, is to be praised and obeyed as King.

Golden Text: “For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen; God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness” (Psalm 47:7-8).

In the Jewish calendar there are two New Years. The first is the beginning of the religious year Nisan or Abib, roughly our April, when the Passover was celebrated (Exodus 12:1, 2). The beginning of the civil year, the second, is in the fall of the year, Tishri, on the first day of our October (Leviticus 23:24). The feast at the civil new year was the Feast of Trumpets.

On the first day of Tishri, the trumpets blasted away the silence of the old year, opening the new year and announcing the preparation and repentance to make way for the day of atonement, which arrived in 10 days. This feast lasted two days. Psalm 47 was repeated seven times before the blowing of the trumpets on this day.

I. Note the position of Jehovah God recognized in this Psalm.

a. The shout of triumphant rejoicing of His people acknowledge that He is God (vs. 1).

b. He is “Jehovah the most high” (vs. 2). He is the “terrible” One. The word translated “terrible” is a word that literally means “to be feared: Reverenced and adored.” Above all others He is to be reverenced and adored. The “fear of the Lord” produces blessings to those who “fear.”

c. He is the great King over all the earth (vs. 2, 7). He alone is the only King of the earth.

d. He reigns over all, Jews and non-Jews (Gentiles, vs. 8).

e. He reigns from His throne of holiness in holiness (vs. 8).

f. He reigns over all princes and people. All sources of power and authority belong to Him. He alone is greatly exalted above all others (vs. 9).

Since all authority centers in Jehovah God, all things are under His supervision and control. This truth is taught throughout the Scriptures. God is the God of all things and all men. There is no other God but Jehovah God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things. His position is extolled.

II. Note the people’s submission to Jehovah God in this Psalm.

a. The people’s submission to Jehovah God brings great joy and jubilation (vs. 1).

b. His people shall be exalted over the nations (peoples) of the world (vs. 3). He is King of all the earth and gives preference to those who submit to Him.

c. Jehovah chooses the inheritance for those submitted to Him (vs. 4). His people gladly receive what He chooses to give them. They praise Him for those choices He makes.

d. Jehovah loves His people (vs. 4).

e. His people are overjoyed because of their relationship to God and the blessings that He has given to them (vs. 6). They are given to singing praises to the Lord.

“Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises unto our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding” (vs. 6-7).

This Psalm gives us the pattern that all men can and should follow. Jehovah God (Jesus Christ) is exalted above all else. Those who recognize this truth, humble themselves and submit themselves to this Great God. They praise, honor and obey the Lord and as a result they have the blessings of God showered upon them. This is “win-win” situation. All who recognize and submit to our Lord Jesus Christ will be able to “clap your hands” and “shout” in triumph in life (vs. 1).