Psalm 47 2

Psalm 47:2 kjv

For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2 nkjv

For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2 niv

For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2 esv

For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.

Psalm 47:2 nlt

For the LORD Most High is awesome.
He is the great King of all the earth.

Psalm 47 verses

Psalm 47 2 Meaning

Psalm 47:2 declares the supreme authority and majestic power of God. It asserts that the God of Israel, identified by His covenant name "the LORD" (Yahweh) and His title "Most High" (Elyon), is utterly awesome and commands reverence from all. This is because He is uniquely positioned as a "great King" who exercises universal dominion "over all the earth," establishing Him as the ultimate and sovereign ruler above every other power, be it human or divine.

Psalm 47 2 Context

Psalm 47 is an enthronement psalm, likely used in Israelite worship to celebrate the kingship of Yahweh. While some interpretations suggest it celebrates a specific event like the ark's procession, it fundamentally proclaims God's universal reign and anticipates His full recognition by all nations. The psalm as a whole calls all peoples to joyful, thunderous praise of God (Psa 47:1). Verse 2 provides the theological underpinning for this command, explaining why such universal celebration is fitting: because of who God is – the supreme, awesome King over everything. This context sets the stage for a dramatic proclamation of divine sovereignty and eventual triumph over all opposition, leading to the nations joining Israel in worship. Historically, the audience would have lived amidst mighty earthly empires, and this psalm powerfully asserts that none compare to the sovereign reign of their God.

Psalm 47 2 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): An introductory conjunction meaning "because" or "indeed." It explains and justifies the call to universal applause and shouting in Psalm 47:1. The reason for the exultation lies in God's identity and power.
• the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is God's personal, covenant name, frequently rendered "LORD" in English Bibles (in small caps). It emphasizes His self-existence ("I Am Who I Am," Ex 3:14), His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His intimate relationship with Israel, distinguishing Him from any other deity.
• Most High (עֶלְיוֹן, Elyon): An ancient title signifying God's supreme elevation, transcendence, and absolute sovereignty. It positions Him above all creation, human rulers, and any supposed lesser gods. This title highlights His preeminence and unique authority over the cosmos.
• is to be feared (נוֹרָא, nora'): From the Hebrew root yare, it conveys a sense of reverential awe, profound respect, and dread for God's holiness, immense power, and righteous judgment. It is not a fear of terror in the sense of cowardice, but a solemn, worshipful acknowledgment of His unapproachable majesty and ability to act powerfully. This "fear" leads to worship and obedience, serving as the foundation of true wisdom.
• a great (גָּדוֹל, gadol): Signifies immense magnitude, power, and importance. When applied to God as King, it highlights His unparalleled authority, unparalleled resources, and boundless domain, emphasizing that His reign is far beyond that of any earthly monarch.
• King (מֶלֶךְ, melekh): Denotes supreme authority, dominion, and rule. God's kingship implies His absolute control, legislative power, and ultimate jurisdiction over all things. Unlike human kings, His rule is perfectly just, eternal, and unfailing.
• over all (כָּל, kol): This crucial Hebrew term emphasizes universality and completeness, indicating an encompassing and unrestricted domain. It stresses that no part, being, or nation is exempt from His ultimate authority.
• the earth (הָאָרֶץ, ha'arets): Refers to the entire terrestrial world, including all lands, peoples, and creatures inhabiting it. Coupled with "over all," it powerfully conveys God's global, comprehensive, and undeniable dominion, stretching His rule beyond the borders of Israel to encompass the entire human race and physical creation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For the LORD Most High": This initial declaration anchors the psalm's celebration in God's very identity. It brings together His personal, covenantal nature (Yahweh) with His universal, transcendent supremacy (Elyon). This combination underscores that the God worshipped by Israel is not a tribal deity but the sole, ultimate ruler of all creation, setting Him apart from all false gods.
• "is to be feared": This phrase describes the proper human response to God's inherent character. It articulates that God's power, holiness, and justice evoke a deep, worshipful awe, rather than simple terror. This reverential fear is essential to acknowledging His true nature and His authority, motivating obedience and reverence from all who perceive Him truly.
• "a great King": This title highlights God's majestic and sovereign rule. He is not merely a ruler, but the supreme and glorious Monarch, whose power and authority are absolute and unrivaled by any earthly king or celestial being. His greatness assures His capacity to govern and execute His will.
• "over all the earth": This critical clause defines the scope of God's kingship. It asserts His absolute and undisputed dominion across the entire globe, encompassing every nation, culture, and individual. This statement stands in stark contrast to the limited reigns of human kings and implicitly refutes any claim to rival authority, establishing God's comprehensive universal rule as foundational truth for all peoples.

Psalm 47 2 Bonus section

• Liturgical Significance: Psalm 47, and specifically verse 2, is thought to have been integral to Israelite temple liturgies, possibly for the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) or Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). These festivals emphasized God's kingship and the ultimate ingathering of nations to Him, aligning perfectly with the psalm's universal focus.
• Christian Interpretations (Christ's Ascension): Early Christian tradition and many commentaries connect Psalm 47 with the ascension of Jesus Christ. The "shouts" and "trumpets" (in Psa 47:5-6) are seen as accompanying Christ's victorious ascent to heaven and His enthronement at the right hand of the Father. His exaltation as "King of Kings" (Rev 19:16) fulfills the declaration that the "LORD Most High" is "a great King over all the earth," bringing the universal dominion to fruition through the Son.
• Eschatological Hope: The declaration that God is King "over all the earth" also carries a strong eschatological (end-times) dimension. While God's sovereignty is inherent, its full acknowledgment and manifestation are yet to come. This verse foreshadows the ultimate reality when every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ as Lord (Phil 2:9-11), truly fulfilling God's universal reign prophesied throughout Scripture.
• Theological Precision: The specific combination of "Yahweh" and "Elyon" is a powerful theological statement. "Elyon" (Most High) was a title used in broader Ancient Near Eastern contexts for supreme deities. By conjoining it with "Yahweh" (the covenant name of the God of Israel), the psalmist explicitly states that the specific God who revealed Himself to Abraham, Moses, and Israel is none other than the one supreme, universal God over all, consolidating a singular, incomparable deity.

Psalm 47 2 Commentary

Psalm 47:2 functions as the core theological assertion for the entire psalm's jubilant call to worship. It firmly establishes the unparalleled sovereignty of God. By identifying Him as "the LORD Most High," the verse unites His unique, self-existent covenantal name (Yahweh) with an ancient title of ultimate supremacy (Elyon), declaring that the God of Israel is undeniably the supreme universal deity. He "is to be feared," meaning He commands profound reverence and awe due to His unsearchable power, holiness, and righteous judgment. This reverential response is fitting because He is undeniably "a great King," possessing absolute, unchallengeable authority. The definitive declaration "over all the earth" is key, extending His dominion beyond any national or ethnic boundary. This profound truth calls for universal acknowledgement and praise from all nations, anticipating a future day when His cosmic kingship will be fully recognized and celebrated by all creation. This verse not only justifies the worship of the Israelite people but serves as a polemic against polytheism and any lesser power claiming ultimate authority, underscoring God's singular, comprehensive reign.