Psalm 47:2-3,6-9

This week’s responsorial psalm comes from Psalm 47, a hymn that describes an enthronement ceremony and stirs the people to praise God.

Since the apostolic age, the Church has recognized the Ascension of Christ as the fulfillment of this psalm.

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness,

The psalm begins with a universal summons to rejoice before God. “Cries of gladness” (rinnâ) likely refer to jubilant shouts associated with worship, possibly in connection with a sacrificial liturgy. The act of clapping (tāqa‘) is a ritual gesture of acclaim.

for the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, 

The psalmist invokes three titles for God, each rich with theological meaning:

• “LORD” refers to YHWH, the personal name of the God of Israel. This title emphasizes God’s covenant relationship with Israel and his faithfulness to his promises.
• “Most High” (‘elyôn) is a more ancient title that emphasizes God’s sovereignty and supremacy over all other beings and powers. First seen in Genesis 14:18-22 with Melchizedek, it reveals that Israel’s God is exalted above all other powers or so-called deities.
• “The awesome” (also translated as “the great”) emphasizes the reverence due to God, whose majesty evokes awe and holy fear (cf. Proverbs 9:10).

is the great king over all the earth.

In the ancient world, each nation was believed to have its own divine patron. Declaring YHWH as king over all the earth is a proclamation of universal sovereignty and, implicitly, a declaration of monotheism. 

All peoples are called to acknowledge the universal reign of the one true God.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise. For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

These verses depict a divine enthronement. Trumpet blasts and joyful shouts accompany God’s ascent to his throne, evoking both festal worship and the majesty of God’s kingship.

The repeated call to “sing praise” reflects the proper response to God’s reign: worship offered by all nations.