Psalms 47:3-5

47:3 He subdued nations beneath us ¹ 

and countries ²  under our feet.

47:4 He picked out for us a special land ³ 

to be a source of pride for ⁴  Jacob, ⁵  whom he loves. ⁶  (Selah)

47:5 God has ascended his throne ⁷  amid loud shouts; ⁸ 

the Lord has ascended his throne amid the blaring of ram’s horns. ⁹ 

[47:3]  ¹ tn On the meaning of the verb דָּבַר (davar, “subdue”), a homonym of דָּבַר (“speak”), see HALOT 209-10 s.v. I דבר. See also Ps 18:47 and 2 Chr 22:10. The preterite form of the verb suggests this is an historical reference and the next verse, which mentions the gift of the land, indicates that the conquest under Joshua is in view.

[47:3]  ² tn Or “peoples” (see Pss 2:1; 7:7; 9:8; 44:2).

[47:4]  ³ tn Heb “he chose for us our inheritance.” The prefixed verbal form is understood as a preterite (see “subdued” in v. 3).

[47:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “the pride of.” The phrase is appositional to “our inheritance,” indicating that the land is here described as a source of pride to God’s people.

[47:4]  ⁵ tn That is, Israel.

[47:4]  ⁶ sn Jacob whom he loves. The Lord’s covenantal devotion to his people is in view.

[47:5]  ⁵ sn God ascended his throne. In the context of vv. 3-4, which refer to the conquest of the land under Joshua, v. 5 is best understood as referring to an historical event. When the Lord conquered the land and placed his people in it, he assumed a position of kingship, as predicted by Moses (see Exod 15:17-18, as well as Ps 114:1-2). That event is here described metaphorically in terms of a typical coronation ceremony for an earthly king (see 2 Sam 15:10; 2 Kgs 9:13). Verses 1-2, 8-9 focus on God’s continuing kingship, which extends over all nations.

[47:5]  ⁶ tn Heb “God ascended amid a shout.” The words “his throne” are supplied in the translation for clarification. The Lord’s coronation as king is described here (see v. 8). Here the perfect probably has a present perfect function, indicating a completed action with continuing effects.

[47:5]  ⁷ tn Heb “the Lord amid the sound of the ram horn.” The verb “ascended” is understood by ellipsis; see the preceding line.