View Psalms 47 in the note window.
This psalm seems to have been composed upon the occasion of carrying
the ark from the house of Obed - edom into the city of Zion,(2Sa 6:12,17).
But as Zion was a type of the church, and the ark a type of Christ,
so it has a farther reference, even to Christ's ascension into heaven,
and to the spreading of his kingdom in all parts of the world.
It contains an exhortation to rejoice in God, ver. 1 - 4.
A prophecy of Christ's ascension, and of the calling of the Gentiles,
ver. 5 - 9.
To the chief musician, A psalm for the sons of Korah.
3: Subdue - He speaks this in the name of the whole church, to which
all particular believers were to submit themselves in the Lord.
4: Chuse - He will appoint and bestow upon us. Inheritance - The
presence and worship, and blessing of God. This God had chosen for
the Israelites and resolved to chuse or set apart for the Gentiles.
Of Jacob - Of the people of Jacob or Israel, who are frequently
called Jacob, for these did actually enjoy the presence of God in
his sanctuary. Loved - Not for any peculiar worth in them, but for
his free love to them, as he declareth, (De 7:7,8).
5: God - This is meant literally of the ark: but mystically of
Christ's ascension into heaven, as may be gathered by comparing this with(Eph 4:8), where the like words uttered concerning the ark upon the
same occasion, (Ps 68:18), are directly applied to Christ's ascension.
7: The king - Not only ours, but of all the nations of the world.
Sing - Not formally and carelessly, but seriously, considering the
greatness of this king whom you praise, and what abundant cause you
have to praise him.
8: The throne - Heaven is often called God's throne, whence God is
said to behold and to rule all nations; of which general dominion of God, he
here speaks. And Christ sits at his father's right - hand, for that purpose.
9: The princes - The Gentiles, who were divided in their
principles, and interests, and religions, are now united and gathered
together to Christ, laying their scepters at his feet, and jointly
owning his worship and service. And altho' he mentions their conversion
only, yet the conversion of their people might reasonably be supposed.
Of the God - He doth not say the people of Abraham, lest this should be
appropriated to the Israelites; but the people of the God of Abraham
who worship the God of Abraham, whether they be Jews or Gentiles.
The Shields - The princes or rulers, who are called shields,(Ho 4:18), because by their office they are the common prosecutors
of all their people. These are the Lord's, at his disposal, or subject
to his dominion, both as to their hearts and kingdoms. Exalted - By this
means God shall be greatly glorified.
