Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a call for general celebration; it's a divine invitation to "all peoples," not just Israel, to recognize God's sovereignty. The "voice of triumph" points to a victory that resonates beyond any single historical event, hinting at a cosmic triumph where even the nations are called to join in joyful acclamation.
Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm bursts forth with an exuberant call for all people, not just Israel, to celebrate God's ascension as King. It follows accounts of God's mighty acts and anticipates the universal reign of Christ, urging a joyful acclaim that acknowledges His supreme authority over all creation. The verse serves as an immediate command to express this triumphant recognition with outward signs of elation, setting the tone for the psalm's focus on God's victorious kingship.
Why would a psalm about God's victory include a command for all peoples to clap their hands and shout?
This psalm isn't just for one nation; it's a global invitation! While it may have been composed for a specific occasion, like the triumphant return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, its prophetic scope extends far beyond.
A Universal King
The commentators consistently point out that "all ye people" refers not just to the tribes of Israel, but to Gentiles as well. This is a crucial insight. It anticipates a time when God's reign would be recognized and celebrated by all nations, not just one.
Echoes of Christ's Reign
This universal celebration is directly linked to the ascension of Jesus Christ. He is the King over all the earth, and His victory over sin and death means that His reign is not limited by ethnicity or geography. The joy described here finds its ultimate fulfillment in His kingdom, which is open to everyone.
What kind of shouting is this, and what victory does it celebrate?
The "voice of triumph" isn't a whisper of polite agreement; it's a roar of victory! This isn't just a song of praise; it's a declaration of conquest.
God's Mighty Conquests
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This psalm celebrates God's powerful victories. When we read about clapping hands and shouting, think of the jubilant celebrations after a major military triumph. The commentators highlight that this points to Christ's victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.
A Celebration of Redemption
Christ's ascension isn't just a passive departure; it's a triumphant ascent after defeating His enemies. The gospel preached to all nations is the message of this victory. Those who believe in Christ are brought into this victory, becoming part of God's triumphant kingdom. The shouts of joy are a response to the redemption and liberation found in Him.
Understand the original words
taqa' · Hebrew Verb
An act of rhythmic striking of palms, often used in the Bible as a physical expression of celebration, victory, or praise before God.
ranan/rinnah · Hebrew Verb/Noun
A joyful, resonant cry, often associated with a war cry of victory or a communal shout of acclamation honoring a king.
While this Psalm likely resonated with historical events like the Ark's procession to Zion or the return from exile, its ultimate prophetic scope points to the ascension of Christ and the universal call for all nations to celebrate God's reign through Him.
c. 1000 BC
David brings Ark to Jerusalem
King David successfully brings the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's presence, to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
King Solomon completes the First Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark, further solidifying Jerusalem as the focal point of Israel's worship.
586 BC
Babylonian Exile Begins
Jerusalem and the Temple are destroyed by the Babylonians, and many Israelites are exiled, a devastating blow to national and religious life.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great permits the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple, marking a period of restoration and hope.
c. 400 BC
Second Temple Period
The Second Temple is completed and continues as the center of Jewish worship and identity for centuries, facing various foreign dominations.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is crucified and rises from the dead, an event foundational to Christian belief and interpreted by many as the ultimate fulfillment of God's reign.
c. AD 40s-60s
Early Spread of the Gospel
The apostles, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin actively preaching the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, leading to the formation of early Christian communities.
This verse echoes the call to joyful expression found in Psalm 47:1, picturing rivers clapping their hands and hills singing for joy as they witness God's salvation.
Isaiah 55:12This passage parallels the jubilant tone of Psalm 47:1, describing how all the trees of the field will clap their hands and mountains will break forth into singing as God's people go out with joy.
Romans 15:9This New Testament passage directly connects the Old Testament praise of Psalm 47:1 to the inclusion of Gentiles, showing how they also praise God because of His mercy.
Acts 2:36This passage highlights the 'triumph' mentioned in Psalm 47:1, proclaiming that God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ, a truth that would cause all peoples to shout for joy.
Zechariah 8:23This prophecy speaks to the 'all peoples' called to worship in Psalm 47:1, foretelling a future where ten men from all nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, seeking to worship God with them.
gillPsalms 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."
O clap your hands, all ye people, Meaning the Gentiles more especially; see Psalm 117:1 compared with Romans 15:9 ; who had reason to rejoice and be glad, since the ascended Lord and King here spoken of was given to be their Saviour, was the propitiation for their sins, and had given himself a ransom price for them; and now the Gospel was preached amon…
bensonPsalms 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."
Psalm 47:1-2 . O clap your hands, all ye people — All ye tribes of Israel, or, rather, all nations, not only Jews but Gentiles; for all of them would, or might have benefit, if not by the removal of the ark to mount Zion, or to the temple, yet by that which was represented thereby, the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Shout unto God — Unto the glo…
This isn't just a call for general celebration; it's a divine invitation to "all peoples," not just Israel, to recognize God's sovereignty. The "voice of triumph" points to a victory that resonates beyond any single historical event, hinting at a cosmic triumph where even the nations are called to join in joyful acclamation.
This psalm bursts forth with an exuberant call for all people, not just Israel, to celebrate God's ascension as King. It follows accounts of God's mighty acts and anticipates the universal reign of Christ, urging a joyful acclaim that acknowledges His supreme authority over all creation. The verse serves as an immediate command to express this triumphant recognition with outward signs of elation, setting the tone for the psalm's focus on God's victorious kingship.
This psalm bursts forth with an exuberant call for all people, not just Israel, to celebrate God's ascension as King. It follows accounts of God's mighty acts and anticipates the universal reign of Christ, urging a joyful acclaim that acknowledges His supreme authority over all creation. The verse serves as an immediate command to express this triumphant recognition with outward signs of elation, setting the tone for the psalm's focus on God's victorious kingship.
"Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!" — This isn't just a call for general celebration; it's a divine invitation to "all peoples," not just Israel, to recognize God's sovereignty. The "voice of triumph" points to a victory that resonates b…
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Last reviewed October 2026