JUNE 16, 2026 – GOD ASCENDS

READ: Ps. 47:1-10: … King over all the earth … ascends … reigns

All peoples of the earth are called to rejoice before God’s face. To clap their hands with joy above their heads because of the supreme King over all the earth. God’s kingship stands central in this Psalm. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler of everything He has made. To Him belongs all praise.

He shows His great deeds as the only highest King to His people by subduing all opponents. Think of His victory over the Egyptians, all the nations in the wilderness and in Canaan, the promised land, and later also the Philistines.

In all these nations it was not Israel that conquered the enemies but the LORD Himself. He brought them under their feet. Thus they could dwell safely in the territory appointed to them by the LORD, Canaan. In all this He showed His faithfulness to the promises made to the patriarchs..

God was therefore not only King of Israel but also of the whole earth. Later, in the New Testament, God fulfilled His kingship in that Christ conquered His great opponent on the cross. He, the King of the Jews, then received the name above every name and took His seat at the right hand of God on His throne. This ultimately is what this Psalm points to.

But what is the meaning of verse 6: “God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet”? This points to what happened with the Ark after the Philistines had captured the Ark in the war of Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam. 5). After being housed in the house of Obed-Edom, the Ark was brought by David and the priests with the people in a great festive procession to the elevated Jerusalem (2 Sam. 6).

This event is recalled here in praising and glorifying God as victorious and almighty Ruler. In Eph. 4:8 the Ascension of Christ is compared with this ascent on high. From there He reigns not only over His Church but also over the whole world. There is great reason for exuberant praise by believers from all nations.

In what do you see that the Lord reigns over everything and everyone?
Singing: Ps. 47:3,4