God’s Word of Spiritual Renewal
Introduction
Psalm 47: Today’s reading is a psalm proclaiming that God is our supreme ruler. It is a celebratory hymn in praise of God’s kingship and was probably used in some form of liturgical procession.
Scripture Reading
The Supreme Ruler
1Clap your hands for joy, all peoples!
Praise God with loud songs!
2The Lord, the Most High, is to be feared;
he is a great king, ruling over all the world.
3He gave us victory over the peoples;
he made us rule over the nations.
4He chose for us the land where we live,
the proud possession of his people, whom he loves.
5God goes up to his throne.
There are shouts of joy and the blast of trumpets,
as the Lord goes up.
6Sing praise to God;
sing praise to our king!
7God is king over all the world;
praise him with songs!
8God sits on his sacred throne;
he rules over the nations.
9The rulers of the nations assemble
with the people of the God of Abraham.
More powerful than all armies is he;
he rules supreme.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 47:7
God is king over all the world; praise him with songs!
Reflect
Psalm 47 was most likely used as a liturgical hymn in connection with a worship festival. Christians associate this psalm with Jesus’s ascension into heaven, and Jewish people associate this psalm with Rosh-ha-Shanah, the beginning of the new year. Reread verses 1-7. What are worshipers instructed to do? How are festival occasions celebrated in your community of faith?
Pray
Sovereign God, your reign is eternal. With my whole being I praise your holy name. With a song in my heart I joyfully proclaim your love for all people. You are king over all the world. Reign in my heart, Lord God! Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 50: God speaks about the kind of sacrifice he desires