Psalmn 47 - King of All

Psalm 47:1-2, 7-9 NIV


Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
For the Lord Most High is awesome,
the great King over all the earth.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.




There was a time in the life of Israel, about 70 years, when the Israelites lived in peace and security. It was the high water mark of their national history under the rule of David and his son Solomon. Psalm 47 celebrates the God of Israel in a time of peace and prosperity. The psalm, however, does not celebrate King David or King Solomon. Only God gets the glory.


When our soldiers killed our enemy Osama Bin Laden, did God get the credit or were politicians lining up to place a feather in their cap? Psalm 47 reminds me to place praise where it always belongs. God is King. God is ruler over all the nation's and their leaders.


It seems to me that God doesn't have many leaders who follow His leadership. If God is ruling, why is there so much war and violence, want and need?


The apostle Paul wrote,


Romans 13:1 NIV
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.


Whether I agree that God is appointing all those in authority or not is irrelevant. Though tyrants and fools may rule, God will work their actions into His God purposes to redeem the earth. It is the Lord's decisions that ultimately prevail.


So clap your hands and shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.


Rest secure. God is on His throne.