“The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.”
The reference to the assembled peoples gathering for the shields of the earth belonging to God establishes a scene of universal gathering and the transfer of all earthly power to divine control. The image of nobles or mighty ones of peoples gathering suggests the assembly of all human authority before the divine throne. The mention of shields belonging to God suggests that all means of power and military authority are ultimately God's possession; earthly powers are merely temporary stewards. The reference to exalting God emphasizes that the ultimate outcome of history involves universal recognition of divine supremacy. The final reference to God being greatly exalted above all suggests that the ascension of the ark or throne of God (from verse 5) results in final establishment of divine supremacy.
Church Fathers on Psalms 47:9
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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