“He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.”
The reference to God subduing peoples under and selecting Israel's inheritance establishes God's action in history and the establishment of Israel as the chosen people. The image of subduing peoples suggests that God has been active in establishing Israel's position and removing obstacles to their occupation of the land. The mention of the pride of Jacob as the inheritance suggests both the land and the status of being God's people constitute the divinely given portion. The establishment of Jacob's inheritance flows from divine choice and action rather than from Israel's military prowess. This verse emphasizes the pattern of divine action in history establishing a people for divine purposes.
Church Fathers on Psalms 47:4
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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