Psalms 47:9

In the spirit of prophecy the Psalmist beholds the realisation of the hope expressed in Psalms 47:1. The nations acknowledge Jehovah's sovereignty. Cp. Psalms 102:22. As the representatives of the nations which they rule, the princes of the peoples are gathered togetherto Jerusalem to pay homage to Jehovah. The Massoretic text ot the next line must be rendered with R.V., -To be the people of the God of Abraham":a bold phrase, reaching the very climax of Messianic hope, and hardly paralleled elsewhere. For though the nations are frequently spoken of as attaching themselves to Israel in the worship of Jehovah (Isaiah 2:2 ff; Isaiah 11:10; Isaiah 56:6 ff; Isaiah 60:3 ff.; Zechariah 8:20 ff.; &c, &c), they are not called "the people of God." This title is reserved for Israel, and only in the N.T. are the promises made to Israel extended to the Gentiles (Romans 9:25). Yet see Isaiah 19:25, where Egypt receives the title -my people." The rendering of R.V. marg. -Unto the people," is scarcely legitimate. It is however to be noted that the consonants of the word - am" -people" are identical with those of - im, -with," and the LXX read them as the preposition (with the God of A.). It is a natural conjecture that we should restore the preposition and render;

The princes of the peoples are gathered together,

Along with the people of the God of Abraham.

the God of Abraham The title recalls the promises of blessing to the nations made through Abraham (Genesis 12:2 f. &c.).

the shields of the earth Princes are so called, as the protectors of their people. Jehovah is their overlord, and they come to acknowledge their dependence. The title shieldis often applied to God, and sometimes to the kings and princes of Israel (Hosea 4:18; Psalms 89:18).

he is greatly exalted Cp. Psalms 97:9; and, though the Heb. word is different, Psalms 46:10.