May 5, 2009
We should praise god in all circumstances
Psalm 47
Jim Powell
Central Truth
As we seek to honor our Creator God, we must acknowledge that He has our best interests at heart and relax our struggle to be in control over everything.
Key Verse | Psalm 47:2
For the sovereign Lord is awe-inspiring;
he is the great king who rules the whole earth!
(Psalm 47:2)
Psalm 47
God Is King over All the Earth
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1
Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,
a great king over all the earth.
3
He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.
4
He chose our heritage for us,
the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
5
God has gone up with a shout,
the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6
Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises with a psalm!
1
47:7
Hebrew maskil
8
God reigns over the nations;
God sits on his holy throne.
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!
Dive Deeper | Psalm 47
The psalmist paints a poetic word picture as he seeks to convince God's children to honor and adore the God of the universe. In Psalm 47:3-4, he presents two reasons why they should: God's protection, and the abundance of His provision. When I read that God is much greater than I am, my stress, heartache, and discouragement depart, leaving peace and comfort instead.
At work, rumor of a merger recently filtered down to the worker level, and anxiety levels swelled, interfering with job performance and quality of life. My employer (a family-owned company) indicated that ownership changes could be forthcoming and that job performance would be paramount in determining how things would shake out. My experience tells me how things might work out, so I feel blessed to be a calming influence in the inevitable emotional turmoil to come. And while I am certainly not in control, I am the beneficiary of God's mercy as I grow in relation to my coworkers during a crisis like this.
As unfortunate events unfold and affect us, we are inclined to ask, "I live right, honor my parents, and keep all the Ten Commandments, so why is this happening to me?" This human response obscures the learning moments and opportunities for growth that are in store for us as we go through difficult circumstances, sustained by God's grace and mercy. James 1:2-3 makes this clear: "My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance."
As Psalm 47 encourages us, God has "subdued nations beneath us." Thus, we should "clap [our] hands" and "sing to God," for "he is the great king who rules the whole earth!"
Discussion Questions
1. Can you recall a time when your best efforts to control a situation betrayed you, leaving you discouraged and feeling vulnerable?
2. How do you find yourself singing praises to our King?
3. Our society prizes self-sufficiency over almost everything, and yet Psalm 47 clearly demonstrates that we are completely dependent on God as our King. How would you express this relationship to someone in need of your encouragement or spiritual insight?