Psalm 47: Rejoice! The Lord is King!

​Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! 2 For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth. 3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet. 4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
 
5 God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! 7 For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm! 8 God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne. 9 The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; he is highly exalted!
 
Meditation
Christians around the world embrace God’s sovereign grace by joining Charles Wesley’s historic song of faith- Rejoice, the Lord is King! A far more historic hymn of faith, today’s Psalm inaugurates the universal rule of God who is enthroned king over all the earth, a reign of peace for the people He loves.  
 
The historic moment when David returned the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6) is evoked in this Psalm’s theme- exaltation and enthronement of God as King. The Lord is the great King of all the earth (2, 7) who reigns over all nations (8) and will gather all princes and peoples before His throne for worship (9). The eternal rule of the Lord re-orients our faith so, no matter what our circumstances, believers can rejoice (1) and celebrate the security of God’s rule and reign (3-4). God’s subjects are commanded four times to sing praises to the One True King, (6) the final word emphasizing the epicenter of power: Exalted! 
 
The poetry of this royal psalm is also promise and prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus was declared King by His resurrection (Romans 1:4) and exalted in His ascension to His heavenly throne (Acts 1). Believers know Jesus currently sits on the throne (right now, as you read) and He is making all things new (Revelation 21:1-6). One day every tribe, tongue, and nation will gather around Christ’s throne in eternal celebration (Revelation 5, 7). Until the rule of our great King is fully realized we must rejoice, the Lord is King! Exalted! Above everything.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading?
 
-Do you rejoice in as ruler of your life? How is that working for you?
 
-Jesus is the fullness of this poetic prophecy. Jesus is Lord of ALL or He is not Lord at all. Do you trust Jesus as King, exalting Him above everything? How (specifically) can you live more joyfully under His rule and reign?
 
Key Verse
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!