Sunday Devotional 16th October 2022
by Bruce Billingto
We are continuing to explore the knowledge of God as expressed in the Psalms. This week we will continue to look at Psalm 47, written by the sons of Korah.
Psalm 47:7–9
V7 – For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with a skilful psalm.
V8 – God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.
V9 – The princes of the people have assembled themselves as the people of the God of Abraham, For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.
We first should note, even in this part of the Old Covenant, God is not proclaimed as the King of the Jews only. He is the God and King of all the earth. He is the one and only true God and He and He alone, rules over the earth. As a result, the psalmist instructed the people of Israel, and us, to sing His praises with full understanding of and appreciation for God’s supreme authority and His goodness to His chosen people. He alone is worthy of such praise.
What this also indicates is that the coming kingdom of God would be much more magnificent and glorious at the coming of the Messiah, than it was under the old covenant which was based upon the Law. It will then, referring to the age we now live in, be extended to the utmost boundaries of the earth.
The Apostle Paul spoke about this being a great mystery – that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel (Eph 3:6).
This picture is further enhanced by the fact that God sitting on His holy throne (V8) reveals the fact that all of His acts, decrees, commandments, and edicts are of the utmost holiness and can never be stained with injustice or defiled by sin. Spurgeon says,
Neither is he who sits upon it dismayed, or in a dilemma. He sits in serenity, for he knows his own power, and sees that his purposes will not miscarry. Here is reason enough for holy song.
Although the leaders of the nation’s today may not acknowledge it, they are all under God’s authority, even those who do not believe in God nor worship Him. From His throne of holiness, God sovereignly directs them to accomplish His will. Our from His throne flows all that just, righteous, and pure.
All principalities and powers must be subject unto our great God and His Christ, for He is greatly exalted. In nature, in power, in character, in glory, there is none to compare with him. In this capacity He calls to us as His people, to assemble together (V9) and acknowledge who He is.
Whatever shield or protection (V9) any nation may have, any real power belongs to God. It is only truly powerful to the degree it is employed in His serve and used for His glory. Power and majesty as in care and protection, belong to God. He can turn the hearts of the kings and decisions makers to whatever decision He wants carried out (Proverbs 21:1).
Ultimately all the emblems of rank, weapons of war and other such royalties or powers, must pay homage to the King of Kings, who is highly exalted. What should we say this means to each of us? Surely that we should be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our toil is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Of course, the Psalmist is also looking forward to that future day when every knew will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. to the glory of God the Father.
Commentator Derek Kidner states,
The innumerable princes and peoples are to become one people, and they will no longer be outsiders but within the covenant: this is implied in their being called the people of the God of Abraham. It is the abundant fulfilment of the promise of Genesis 12:3; it anticipates what Paul expounds of the inclusion of the Gentiles as Abraham’s sons (Romans 4:11; Galatians 3:7–9).
Oh what a mighty God we serve!
God bless you.