Psalm 47

“Clap your hands, all peoples!
    Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,
    a great king over all the earth.
He subdued peoples under us,
    and nations under our feet.
He chose our heritage for us,
    the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

God has gone up with a shout,
    the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing praises with a psalm!

God reigns over the nations;
    God sits on his holy throne.
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!”

Psalm 47 is a song about the rule and reign of God. It is a psalm that proclaims the power and supremacy and faithfulness of the Lord. I’ve been trying to read through one psalm every week, but for some reason, when dwelling on and trying to write about this psalm I just couldn’t get the words out. So I ended up reading it and re-reading it for about three weeks, which explains why I’ve been MIA from the blog for the past three weeks. I think the Lord knew that I needed a continual reminder to praise the Lord for who He is.

A lot of times, it seems, I am quick to praise the Lord for the blessings in my life and the good things that He is doing in my life. When I get to spend sweet time with my family or when I have a really great conversation with a friend or when I’m worshipping with the church body or when something goes in my favor, my heart is quick to praise to the Lord for the good things He has done.

But. It seems that it is more difficult for me to praise when I don’t have an abundance of good things happening in my life. My mind does not often go to thanksgiving when I don’t see all those little (and big) things to be thankful for.

So. Psalm 47 is a timely reminder for me right now. Right now, when I’m in a time of waiting and trusting as Matthew looks for a job and while I try to figure out what I’m doing next and while we wrestle with what seems like a billion unknown details of our life. When that familiar weight of the looming unknown reminds me that I don’t have a plan and that things might not work out like I’m hoping they will. When my heart is not naturally inclined to praise, Psalm 47 reminds me that there is always reason to praise and give thanks.

“For the Lord, Most High, is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.”

We see here the truth that is sure and unshakeable. That God is above all. He is supreme. He is the King over all the earth. He is to feared. He is faithful. He is sitting on his holy throne. He fights for us. He chose us. He has infinite power.

Therefore we have joy.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!
    Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

We are charged to sing praises to God because of who He is, not because of how we feel. When life is dull and ordinary. Sing praises. When life is confusing and unknown. Sing praises. When life is difficult and painful. Sing praises.

The character of our God as good and faithful and sovereign is unchanging. He will always be these things so we always have reason to praise.

Gracious God, may you help us to find and maintain joy. May we do this by dwelling on who You are, because it is there that endless joy is found. You are worthy and awesome and powerful and sovereign and kind and above all things. May we find true joy only in You.

“What jubilation is here, when five times over the whole earth is called upon to sing to God! He is worthy, He is Creator, He is goodness itself… He never ceases to be good, let us never cease to be grateful…let His sovereignty be the fount of gladness” – C.H. Spurgeon