Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's Commentary
Commentary on Psalms 47
Verse 2
His universal sovereignty now exists, and will be made known.
Verse 3
under us--that is, His saints; Israel's temporal victories were types of the spiritual conquests of the true Church.
Verse 4
He shall . . . inheritance--the heathen to be possessed by His Church (Psa 2:8), as Canaan by the Jews.
excellency of Jacob--literally, "pride," or, that in which he glories (not necessarily, though often, in a bad sense), the privileges of the chosen people--
whom he loved--His love being the sole cause of granting them.
Verses 5–7
God, victorious over His enemies, reascends to heaven, amid the triumphant praises of His people, who celebrate His sovereign dominion. This sovereignty is what the Psalm teaches; hence he adds,
sing . . . praises with understanding--literally, "sing and play an instructive (Psalm)." The whole typifies Christ's ascension (compare Psa 68:18).
Verse 8
The instruction continued.
throne of . . . holiness--or, "holy throne" (see on Psa 2:6; Psa 23:4).
Verse 9
princes--who represent peoples. For--
even--supply, "as," or, "to"--that is, they all become united under covenant with Abraham's God.
shields--as in Hos 4:18, "rulers" [Margin].
Next: Psalms Chapter 48
Praise is given to God for victory, perhaps that recorded (Ch2 20:20-30); and His dominions over all people, Jews and Gentiles, is asserted. (Psa 47:1-9)
clap . . . hands . . . people--literally, "peoples," or "nations" (compare Deu 32:43; Psa 18:49; Psa 98:9).