Bible Commentaries

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. See App-65. Referring to the time of Hezekiah. One of three Psalms (46, 47, 48) in praise of Zion, delivered from Sennacherib's siege.

for the sons of Korah. The fourth of nine so ascribed. See note on 42, and App-65.

people = peoples.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

MOST HIGH. Hebrew. Elyon. App-4.

terrible = to be reverenced.

a great King. This in special contrast with Sennacherib (Isaiah 36:4).

He shall subdue = may He subdue.

nations = tribes of men.

shall choose = chooseth: referring to Israel's inheritance. Repeat this verb at the beginning of the next line.

Selah. Connecting the consideration of what God had done for Hezekiah and Zion and the exaltation claimed in Psalms 46:10 with the exaltation given in Psalms 47:5, Psalms 47:9 (App-66.).

gone up = exalted, as in Psalms 47:9 (same word).

Sing praises. Figure of speech Epanadiplosis, the verse beginning and ending with the same word.

praises. Pl of majesty = great praise. Note the Figure of speech Repetitio, for emphasis.

to God. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "to our God".

of. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "over", as in Psalms 47:8.

with understanding. Compare Psalms 49:3 and 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Corinthians 14:16.

reigneth = hath become king.

heathen = nations.

throne of His holiness = His holy Throne. Genitive of Character.

Even. Perhaps better to supply Ellipsis (App-6): "[unto] the People", or "[to be] a People". See the Structure, and Compare Psalms 47:4.

shields. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for princes (in preceding line), or, for defenses in general Compare Psalms 89:18 (margin) and Hosea 4:18 (margin)

exalted. Compare Psalms 47:5. This is the object of the Psalm connected with 46 by the Selah in Psalms 46:11.