God Rules Over All The Earth

Bethel Baptist Church, Laramie, WY Wed, Apr 29, 2020 Author: Korahites (Plural) Structure: A strophe Psalm Pastor Nathan Sehi Outline: MacArthur Study Bible Many times, it seems that the nations worship anything, but their creator. They rebel against his rule and truth without justice or struggle. Sometimes we wonder if God truly is the ruler over all the earth. But when we consider this Psalm as the final expression of God’s rule – we are overwhelmed with his might and sovereignty. We are compelled to worship and praise the most high. Psalm 47 – God Rules Over All the Earth Bible Knowledge Commentary: This psalm is a song about the Lord, the great King (cf. vv. 2, 6–7). It has been classified as an enthronement psalm, celebrating His universal reign. Other enthronement psalms are 93, 95– 99. It should be understood as prophetically portraying the coming kingdom of God, manifestations of which were enjoyed by Israel. In Psalm 47 the psalmist called on all peoples of the earth to pay homage to Israel’s holy Monarch—the Lord—as He assumes His kingship over them all. Is this a Psalm of God’s providential rule or a Psalm of the future reign of Christ? This Psalm does not present itself as prophetic utterance, but the descriptions of God’s reign do not represent any known event in human history. Many verses in this passage could be interpreted as the Lord’s providential rule, but v. 9 describes a world-wide worship of God. This will only happen during the millennium and thereafter. Ross: In this, one can see how the so-called enthronement psalms form the background of the New Testament teaching of the kingdom of God (see Rom. 11:25) and so also have an eschatological meaning. The concepts introduced in a psalm like Psalm 47 find their fulfillment in God’s dominion of the world in Christ. And it is easy then to see how the ascendancy of God in the psalm was easily understood by the Church typologically of Christ’s ascension. I. First Chorus: God as the Victorious King-Warrior (47:1–5) A. Its Call to Worship (47:1) B. Its Causes for Worship (47:2–5) II. Second Chorus: God as the Sovereign King-Governor (47:6–9) A. Its Call to Worship (47:6) B. Its Causes for Worship (47:7–9b) C. Its Code of Worship (47:9c Questions 1) How does this Psalm celebrate the enthronement of God over the earth? What does God’s future earthly rule include from this passage? Hint: Clapping was a common expression during Kingly Enthronements. 2) How does this passage describe a proper response to the enthronement of the most high? 3) How should this Psalm effect our everyday living out of the Gospel? What do you need to change to live this way?