This psalm is the middle of three praise psalms sung at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It celebrates the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ to His throne when the kingdom reign is established after the terrible tribulation events. The Lord is “A Great King,” He is “Our King.” Again, in this psalm, He is “The King of all the earth.” This looks forward to a grand celebration when the victorious King is seated on His throne. Messiah has come, and peace on earth is established under His authority. So, this is a prophetic psalm that will be fulfilled. The waiting Jews look with hope to that day.
It begins with a call for rejoicing. The Messiah has conquered all His enemies, and peace has come. The nations of the earth are called together to rejoice in the God of Israel. Representatives of all the nations come to this great celebration and join together as the Great King is seated on the throne of David. They all unite to celebrate the Most High, the Absolute Sovereign, who alone is Lord of all. In this call for rejoicing, there is an enthusiastic response to the King, with people clapping their hands to honor Him, what He has done, and what He says.
Shouts of joy, cheers that rise, cries of gratitude over Israel’s deliverance, and claiming their inheritance will honor the Lord who brought victory for Israel. We should also lift our voices in praise and honor with enthusiasm when we consider all He has done for us. We live in anticipation of seeing Him personally at the rapture of the church. Also, it will be a day of wonder and rejoicing for us when we see our Savior and Lord exalted, extolled, and lifted very high before the whole world. “Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him all ye heavenly host,” is in order every day for us now. What will it be like when it is worldwide?
When He ascends the throne, the sound of the trumpet will announce the presence of the King, who is the “Excellency of Jacob,” and under His authority, the land of promise will be in Israeli hands for good. The Lord God ascends to His universal throne, reigning in heaven and on earth. Five times, the call to sing praises means to put into words in unison what is meant from the hearts of all who gather there. In Psalm 46, the celebration is that of the Lord coming in judgment. In Psalm 47, His kingdom is established, and He reigns. This is when Isaac Watts' hymn, “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing,” will have the meaning that is intended in words.
This ascent to glory indicates both the New Jerusalem and Jerusalem will be involved in this special time of celebration in Israel as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great King, takes His place as the King of all the earth and is praised as God over all, blessed forever. All the nations will acknowledge Him as the Ruler who brings peace. “The people of the God of Abraham” goes beyond Israel to include all the families on earth and all nations represented there by the “princes,” the leaders of nations who will come to Jerusalem.
We can't describe God, but we can tell what we know about Him and what He means to us. We can tell others what He has done for us and our experiences of Him at work in our lives as believers. The effect of knowing God by faith is a testimony of praise from the heart of each child of God. True worship demands participation, and we are privileged to participate as we praise God.