Psalms 47:1 «To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. » O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
A Psalm for the sons of Korah] Carmen triumphale, saith Mollerus; a panegyrical oration, saith Beza, written by David when topful of most ardent zeal, and sung by the Korites in that stately solemnity, whereat he brought at length the Lord's holy ark into the city of David; which gallant history is lively set forth, 2 Samuel 6:1,23 1Ch 15:1-29 And the use that David doth here make of it, viz. concerning Christ's kingdom, and the benefits thereby, concerneth us as much, or rather more than that ancient people. The Rabbis with one consent say, that this psalm is to be understood De diebus Christi, of the days of the Messiah, who was prefigured by the ark, and should be the joy of all nations.
Ver. 1. O clap your hands, all ye people] As they used to do at their king's coronation, 2 Kings 11:12, show your joy for and interest in Christ your King, by manifesting your righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Other joys are mixed and dearly bought, but this is sincere and gratuitous, as the prophet Isaiah setteth forth elegantly, Psalms 9:3; Psalms 9:5,7 .
Shout unto God, with the voice of triumph] Heb. of shrilling. God's praises are to be celebrated with all manner of cheerfulness; and we are to be vexed at the vile dulness of our hearts, that are no more affected and enlarged hereunto; seeing all causes of joy are found eminently in God, and he is so well worthy to be praised, Psalms 18:3. Jews and Gentiles are here jointly called upon joyfully to praise their Redeemer.