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.

PSALMS 47:1KJV
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Psalms 47:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 47:1 mean?

Psalms 47:1 is a call for all people to celebrate God with joyful actions and loud praise, inviting everyone to clap their hands and shout triumphantly to God. The verse encourages a public and enthusiastic response to God’s greatness, not just quiet or private worship.

The heading notes this psalm is for the "chief Musician" and connected to the "sons of Korah," a group of temple singers. The speaker is inviting all nations ("all ye people") to join in open, joyful praise, using physical gestures like clapping and loud voices to express victory and gratitude. This sets the tone for the whole psalm, which celebrates God as king over all the earth.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 47:1

  • "Clap" (תָּקַע, taqaʿ): This word means to strike or clap, often with force. Here, it suggests an energetic, communal act, not just a polite applause but a strong, joyful gesture.
  • "People" (עַם, ʿam): This word can mean a nation or a group of people. The invitation is not limited to Israel but is extended to all peoples, highlighting the universal scope of the psalm.
  • "Shout" (רוּעַ, ruaʿ): This word means to raise a loud cry, often used for a battle cry or a shout of joy. It emphasizes the exuberance and victory in the praise being offered.
  • "Triumph" (רִנָּה, rinah): This word means a ringing cry or shout of joy, especially one that comes from victory or deliverance. It adds the sense that the praise is not just loud, but also joyful and triumphant.

Why Psalms 47:1 matters

  • Psalms 47:1 makes it clear that worship is meant to be expressive and communal, not just a private or silent act.
  • The verse shows that God’s kingship and worthiness of praise are not limited to one nation or group, but are meant for all people everywhere.
  • The use of physical actions (clapping, shouting) highlights that worship in the Bible often involves the whole person, not just words or thoughts.

Where else these words appear

“triumph” Hebrew H7440 · used in 33 verses

  • 1 Kings 8:28 Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:
  • Psalms 106:44 Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry:
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“Korah” Hebrew H7141 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:5 And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these are the sons of Esau, which were born unto him in the land of Canaan.
  • Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:37 The son of Tahath, the son of Assir, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah,

“shout” Hebrew H7321 · used in 42 verses

  • Numbers 10:7 But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm.
  • 2 Chronicles 13:15 Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.
  • Psalms 100:1 A Psalm of praise. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.

“Psalm” Hebrew H4210 · used in 57 verses

  • Psalms 3:1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.
  • Psalms 38:1 A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
  • Psalms 79:1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.