“For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.”
The exhortation to clap hands and shout to God with loud songs of joy establishes enthusiastic celebration and the expression of gratitude as the appropriate response to God's dominion. The mention of hands and voice emphasizes physical engagement and the totality of bodily expression in worship; joy overflows the bounds of silent meditation. The designation of God as most high emphasizes divine supremacy above all other powers or authorities. The command to shout with songs of triumph suggests that joy in God's rule becomes the occasion for public, audible celebration. This verse establishes that recognition of God's sovereignty finds natural expression in exuberant praise and jubilation.
Church Fathers on Psalms 47:2
1. The title of the Psalm goes thus. “To the end: for the sons of Korah: a Psalm of David himself.” These sons of Korah have the title also of some other Psalms, and indicate a sweet mystery, insinuate a great Sacrament: wherein let us willingly understand ourselves, and let us acknowledge in the title us who hear, and read, and as in a glass set before us behold who we are. The sons of Korah, who are they?. ..Haply the sons of the Bridegroom. For the Bridegroom was crucified…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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