Psalm 47:3 kjv
He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
Psalm 47:3 nkjv
He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.
Psalm 47:3 niv
He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.
Psalm 47:3 esv
He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
Psalm 47:3 nlt
He subdues the nations before us,
putting our enemies beneath our feet.
Psalm 47 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 8:6 | "You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet" | Man's dominion given by God |
| Psa 18:47 | "The God who executes vengeance for me and subdues peoples under me" | God's power to subdue nations |
| Psa 22:27 | "All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD..." | Universal worship and dominion |
| Psa 44:3 | "...not by their own sword did they win the land... but by your right hand" | God grants victory, not human strength |
| Psa 45:5 | "Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you" | Royal dominion given by God |
| Psa 60:12 | "Through God we shall do valiant deeds; he will tread down our foes" | God empowers to defeat enemies |
| Psa 99:1 | "The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble!" | God's reign over all peoples |
| Psa 110:1 | "The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'" | Messianic dominion and ultimate victory |
| Deut 7:6 | "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you..." | Israel's chosen status for God's purposes |
| Deut 28:1 | "If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God... the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations" | Blessing for obedience, includes exaltation |
| Josh 10:24 | "...Joshua said, 'Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.' Then they came near and put their feet on their necks." | Symbolic act of complete subjugation |
| 1 Kgs 5:3 | "...My father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare... until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet." | Peace/dominion prerequisite for kingdom work |
| Isa 2:4 | "He shall judge between the nations... neither shall they learn war anymore." | Future divine peace and judgment over nations |
| Isa 45:23 | "By myself I have sworn... to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance." | Universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty |
| Dan 2:44 | "And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed..." | God's eternal kingdom crushing other kingdoms |
| 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." | Ultimate universal kingship of God |
| Rom 14:11 | "For it is written, 'As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.'" | Every individual's future submission to Christ |
| Rom 16:20 | "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." | Christ's victory over spiritual enemies |
| Eph 1:22 | "And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church" | Christ's authority and headship over all |
| Col 2:15 | "He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." | Christ's triumph over spiritual powers |
| Heb 2:8 | "You have put everything in subjection under his feet." Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control." | Christ's perfect dominion over all things |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." | Final establishment of Christ's kingdom |
| Rev 19:6 | "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns!" | Celebration of God's undisputed reign |
Psalm 47 verses
Psalm 47 3 Meaning
Psalm 47:3 declares God's absolute sovereignty and power in granting His people victory and dominion. It highlights the divine hand that subdues nations, bringing them into submission to the chosen people, ultimately manifesting God's rule over all the earth. This is a celebratory affirmation of God as the ultimate Victor and King.
Psalm 47 3 Context
Psalm 47 is an enthronement psalm, often understood as a hymn celebrating the Lord's universal kingship. It follows the general theme of a victory hymn or a procession of the ark into the temple, symbolic of God's arrival to reign. The "us" in verse 3 refers to the people of Israel, through whom God chose to demonstrate His power and establish His dominion on earth. Historically, it could reflect past military victories God granted Israel, like those in the days of Joshua or David. It projects both a past reality and a future hope—that the God of Israel is the true King over all nations, a polemic against pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations who proved impotent against Israel's God. The Psalm invites all peoples to worship the Lord, underscoring that this subduing is not for Israel's self-glory but for the recognition of God's ultimate reign.
Psalm 47 3 Word analysis
He: Refers directly to God, the LORD (Yahweh), the central actor of the Psalm. The agency is exclusively divine, emphasizing that victories and dominion come solely from Him. This highlights His omnipotence and absolute control over all of creation.
subdued (יַדְבֵּר, yadber): From the root dabar, typically "to speak" or "to lead." In this context, the Hiphil stem indicates causing to come down, to bring into order, or to subject. It signifies a decisive act of divine power that brings about a state of subjugation or controlled governance, not just military defeat, but thorough dominion. It implies God's active, intentional management and breaking of resistance.
peoples (עַמִּים, ‘ammim): Refers to the various nations or ethnic groups distinct from Israel. The use of this plural term underscores the vast scope of God's power, encompassing all segments of humanity and their various political or social structures.
under us (תַּחְתֵּינוּ, taḥteinu): Signifies being placed in a position of inferiority or subjection. This implies that God grants a position of relative authority and superiority to His chosen people over other groups, enabling them to fulfill His purposes in the world. It is God's endowment, not an inherent quality of Israel.
and nations (לְאֻמִּים, lĕ’ummim): A synonymous parallel to "peoples," further emphasizing the universal scope of God's subjugation. This term can refer more broadly to the Gentile world or powerful political entities, reinforcing the totality of God's dominion.
under our feet (תַּחַת רַגְלֵינוּ, taḥat raglēnū): This is a powerful, ancient Near Eastern idiom symbolizing complete conquest, utter defeat, and absolute dominion. To put something "under one's feet" meant complete mastery, surrender, and ultimate control. In a theological sense, it underscores God's authority being demonstrated through His people, with Him doing the actual subduing. It signifies no more threat or resistance from the subjected entity.
He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet: This phrase highlights God's singular power in conquest. The parallelism of "peoples under us" and "nations under our feet" creates emphasis, demonstrating the comprehensiveness and totality of God's triumph. The actions are God's; the benefits of dominion are experienced by "us" (Israel). It foreshadows the ultimate universal dominion of Christ.
Psalm 47 3 Bonus section
The emphasis on God's active role ("He subdued") sets this verse apart from human boasts of military conquest. The victories described are a testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant, not a reward for Israel's strength. This concept forms the foundation for understanding divine election and purpose: God chooses a people not for their own sake, but as a vessel through whom His universal kingship might be revealed. This foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory, where all powers, both seen and unseen, are put "under His feet," a spiritual and cosmic dominion far exceeding any earthly conquest, ensuring His ultimate headship over all creation for the church's sake. The imagery of feet also subtly connects to the Protoevangelium in Gen 3:15, where the Seed of the woman crushes the serpent's head – a prophecy of Christ's triumph over spiritual enemies.
Psalm 47 3 Commentary
Psalm 47:3 is a pivotal declaration in an enthronement psalm, affirming God's supreme authority over all earthly powers. It is not Israel's might or strategy that achieves victory, but "He" – the Lord God Himself – who actively subdues and subjects the peoples and nations. The language "under us" and "under our feet" is not an exaltation of Israel's military prowess, but a vivid expression of the practical consequences of God's intervention. God works through His chosen people to establish His dominion and demonstrate His unmatched power to a world entrenched in idolatry and rebellion. This verse carries profound implications: first, it assures God's people of His protecting and prevailing presence in the face of adversaries; second, it serves as a witness to the nations of God's unassailable reign, compelling them to acknowledge the true King of glory. Ultimately, it anticipates the future universal reign of Christ, where all enemies will be finally brought into subjection, leading to His ultimate glory and eternal peace.