Psalms 47:9 Meaning and Explanation
“The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →All earthly rulers and nations gather as the people of the God of Abraham, whose protection and sovereignty are supreme.
The Context of Psalms 47:9
Concluding affirmation of God's dominion over all earthly powers.
What Does Psalms 47:9 Mean?
The princes and powers of the earth are gathered before God, united not by their own will but by His sovereignty. They are recognized as 'the people of the God of Abraham,' indicating that all nations ultimately belong to God's order, regardless of their current acknowledgment of Him.
The 'shields of the earth'—earthly powers and protectors—belong to God. No earthly force operates independently; all authority is derivative from and accountable to His supreme rule. This exaltation culminates the psalm's affirmation of God's universal dominion.
Psalms 47:9 in the Original Language
Shields (מָגִנִּים, maginim) metaphorically represents protectors or sources of defense—here referring to earthly powers that serve under God's sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 47:9
What does Psalms 47:9 mean?
All earthly rulers and nations gather as the people of the God of Abraham, whose protection and sovereignty are supreme.
What is the context of Psalms 47:9?
Concluding affirmation of God's dominion over all earthly powers.