Chapter Summary

The people exhorted to shout over God's triumphs.

Discussion Questions for Psalms, Chapter 47

1. What do you think it was like for the people to understand God to be King of all the earth? What understanding did they have of God at that time to know that He was over all things?
2. Psalm 47:3, "He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet." (ESV) What does it mean for a people to be "subdued"? How would the readers of that time have understood the meaning of the nations being under their feet?
3. Psalm 47:4, "He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah" (ESV) What was their heritage? How does the use of the word "chose" highlight God’s intentionality over His people?
4. What would it look like to give a call for praise today like we see the Psalmist doing here?
5. How should God’s authority and Kingship impact the way we walk in our day to day lives? How should it affect what we put our trust in?
6. Psalm 47:8, "God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne." (ESV) Why is this good news? How can this be a key source of comfort to God’s people?
7. How can this Psalm support us in conversations where God’s character is in question? How does daily recognition of The Lord’s Kingship refresh our awareness of His goodness?
8. Psalm 47:9, The princes of the peoples gather as the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted!" (ESV) What do the "shields" represent in this passage? What would be the equivalent of that today?
9. What are different ways you have learned to praise The Lord? How can we incorporate a heart of worship into every area of our daily lives?
10. What themes of celebration do you see in this Psalm? How can we apply this heart of celebration to our lives today?

Key Words/Phrase

Praises, v. 6.

Characters

God, Psalmist.

Strong Verse(s)

8