Psalm 47 5
Get the Psalm 47:5 summary and meaning with expert commentary explained. Uncover biblical context and spiritual insights through detailed word analysis and cross-references.
Psalm chapter 47 - The Coronation Of The High King
Psalms 47 documents the triumphant ascent of God to His throne as the rightful ruler of all nations, not just Israel. It calls for a physical response of clapping and shouting to acknowledge a King whose authority extends to the very ends of the earth.
Psalm 47:5
ESV: God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
KJV: God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
NIV: God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
NKJV: God has gone up with a shout, The LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
NLT: God has ascended with a mighty shout.
The LORD has ascended with trumpets blaring.
Meaning
Psalm 47:5 celebrates the triumph and enthronement of God as the universal King. It describes His ascent, metaphorically or literally, to His throne with majestic and joyous acclamations. The verse paints a picture of ultimate divine sovereignty, asserting God's reign over all the earth amidst the celebratory sounds of His people.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 47:7 | For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with a psalm. | God is global King |
| Ps 68:18 | You ascended on high; You led captives away; You received gifts among men... | God's victorious ascent |
| Ps 93:1 | The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed... | God's sovereign rule |
| Ps 96:10 | Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns!”... | Proclaiming God's rule |
| Ps 97:1 | The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the many coasts be glad! | God's kingship and global joy |
| Ps 103:19 | The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. | God's heavenly throne |
| Ps 24:7-10 | Lift up your heads, O gates! ...that the King of glory may come in. | King of Glory entering |
| 1 Chr 15:28 | So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouting... | Ark's procession with joy & trumpets |
| 2 Sam 6:15 | So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting... | Ark's procession to Zion |
| Eph 4:8-10 | Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives...” | Christ's triumphant ascension |
| Acts 1:9-11 | And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up... | Christ's physical ascension |
| Rev 5:6-14 | And I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain...and took the scroll. | Lamb (Christ) takes throne and rules |
| Heb 4:14 | Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens... | Christ ascended as High Priest |
| Heb 9:24 | For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands...but into heaven itself... | Christ entered heaven as sanctuary |
| Phil 2:9-11 | Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name... | Christ's divine exaltation |
| 1 Thess 4:16-17 | For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. | Lord's future return with sound |
| Ex 19:16, 19 | On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings...trumpet sound very loud. | God's presence at Sinai with trumpet |
| Num 10:1-10 | Make two trumpets of silver...for summoning the congregation... | Trumpets for assembly, war, feasts |
| Josh 6:5 | When the ram's horn sounds a long blast...all the people shall shout a great shout... | Triumph through trumpet & shout |
| Zech 14:9 | And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one. | God's ultimate global kingship |
| Rev 11:15 | Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord...” | God's kingdom proclaimed by trumpet |
| 1 Kgs 1:39-40 | Then Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, “Long live King Solomon!” | Trumpet for king's enthronement |
Context
Psalm 47 is an "enthronement psalm" often associated with God's kingship over the nations. The surrounding verses call all peoples to clap their hands and shout to God, acknowledging His supreme power and that He "subdues peoples under us, and nations under our feet" (Ps 47:3). Historically, the psalm may reflect the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6; 1 Chr 15) or annual celebrations of God's enthronement. Culturally, the sounds of triumph (shouting, trumpets) were typical of ancient Near Eastern royal acclamations and military victories. The psalmist asserts YHWH's true and unchallenged ascension as King, possibly in subtle polemic against pagan deities like Baal, whose ascensions were depicted as struggles, not inherent power.
Word analysis
- God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): This general name for God emphasizes His power, creativity, and ultimate authority as the supreme Being. In this context, it underscores His unchallenged status as sovereign.
- has ascended (עָלָה - ʻālāh): The Hebrew word signifies going up, ascending, or rising. It implies elevation to a high position. While it could metaphorically represent God assuming His throne after a victory, it also resonates with literal processions like the Ark's return to Mount Zion (the dwelling of God). In the broader biblical narrative, it points to God's inherent transcendence and later Christ's physical ascent to heaven.
- amid shouts of joy (בִּתְרוּעָה - bitrû‘â): The Hebrew word "teru'ah" refers to a loud, jubilant, triumphant sound, often a battle cry, an acclamation of royalty, or a shout of joy during festivals or victory. It denotes intense celebration and communal recognition of triumph.
- the Lord (יְהוָה - YHVH/Yahweh): This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal nature. Its inclusion signifies that it is the very God of Israel, who entered into covenant with His people, who is now universally acclaimed as King.
- amid the sound of trumpets (בְּקוֹל שׁוֹפָר - beqôl shôphār): "Qôl" means sound or voice, and "shôphār" is a ram's horn or trumpet. The shofar had multiple significant roles: summoning assemblies, announcing new kings, signaling war, and accompanying worship (especially during festivals and at the Ark's arrival). Its sound is loud, piercing, and authoritative, proclaiming God's powerful presence and supreme rule.
Commentary
Psalm 47:5 declares the momentous enthronement of YHWH, the God of Israel, as the rightful and triumphant King of all the earth. His "ascension" signifies His taking up universal dominion, not a movement from one place to another in the sense of inadequacy, but an establishment of His sovereign reign in power and glory. The accompanying "shouts of joy" and "sound of trumpets" reflect a vibrant, exultant worship response from His people, signifying deep adoration and acknowledgement of His supreme authority following a definitive victory. This is a divine acclamation, a coronation by the creation itself, validating His position over all earthly and heavenly realms, emphasizing His ultimate victory and righteous rule over all nations and principalities.
Bonus section
- This verse has profound Christological implications. Just as YHWH ascended in triumph, so too did Christ ascend to the right hand of the Father after His finished work on the cross, receiving all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28:18; Eph 1:20-22). His ascension fulfills this imagery of a triumphant, enthroned King.
- The pairing of "shouts of joy" and "trumpets" indicates a full-scale, unreserved celebration. This sound imagery foreshadows the Lord's return where similar trumpet blasts will announce His advent (1 Thess 4:16).
- The emphasis on God's ascent signifies His divine initiative in establishing His rule, contrasting with human attempts to install kings. It is His inherent right and power.
Read psalm 47 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
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The phrase 'God is gone up with a shout' likely refers to the Ark being carried into the Tabernacle, prefiguring Christ's ascension to heaven. The 'Word Secret' is Zamar, translated as 'sing praises,' which specifically means to make music accompanied by the plucking of strings. Discover the riches with psalm 47 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
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