Psalms 47 · Verse 8

Psalms 47:8

God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
Psalms 47:8, King James Version

Psalms 47:8 in other translations

BSBGod reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.
WEBGod reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
ASVGod reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.
YLTGod hath reigned over nations, God hath sat on His holy throne,
DARBYGod reigneth over the nations;God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
BBEGod is the ruler over the nations; God is on the high seat of his holy rule.
WebsterGod reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

What does Psalms 47:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 47:8-9
8-9. The instruction continued. throne of ... holiness--or, "holy throne" (see on Psa 2:6; Psa 23:4).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 God reigneth over the heathen - Though this is literally true in God's universal dominion, yet more is here meant. God reigns over the heathen when, by the preaching of the Gospel, they are brought into the Church of Christ. God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness - He is a holy God; he proclaims holiness. His laws are holy, he requires holiness, and his genuine people are all holy. The throne of his holiness is the heaven of heavens; also the temple at Jerusalem; and, lastly, the hearts of the faithful.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 47:5-9

Praise is a duty in which we ought to be frequent and abundant. But here is a needful rule; Sing ye praises with understanding. As those that understand why and for what reasons they praise God, and what is the meaning of the service. It is not an acceptable service, if it is not a reasonable service. We are never to forget the end of Messiah's exaltation, so continually do the prophets dwell upon the conversion of…

Read the full comment on Psalms 47:5-9 →

Psalms 47:8 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

מָלַ֣ךְma.Lakhhe reignsH4427
אֱ֭לֹהִים'E.lo.HimGodH430
עַל\־'al-overH5921
גּוֹיִ֑םgo.YimnationsH1471
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים'E.lo.HimGodH430
יָשַׁ֤ב\׀ya.Shavhe sitsH3427
עַל\־'al-onH5921
כִּסֵּ֬אki.Se'[the] throne ofH3678
קָדְשֽׁוֹ\׃ka.de.Shoholiness hisH6944

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 47:8

  • 1 Chronicles 16:31

    Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth.

  • Revelation 19:6

    And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

  • Psalms 45:6-7

    Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  • Psalms 93:1

    The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

  • Psalms 9:4

    For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

  • Psalms 89:14

    Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

  • Psalms 99:1

    The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

  • Psalms 110:6

    He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries.

  • Psalms 96:10

    Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

  • Psalms 22:27-29

    All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he is the governor among the nations. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Hebrews 4:16

    Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
reigneth.
22:27-29; 93:1; 96:10; 97:1; 99:1; 110:6; 1Ch 16:31; Re 19:6
throne.
9:4; 45:6,7; 48:1; 89:14; 94:20; Heb 4:16; Re 20:11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 47:7

    For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

  • Psalms 47:8

    God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

  • Psalms 47:9

    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.

Read all of Psalms 47

Psalms 47:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Reinó Dios sobre las gentes: asentóse Dios sobre su santo trono.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Car Dieu est le roi de toute la terre; chantez avec intelligence.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Gott regiert über die Nationen; Gott hat sich auf den Thron seiner Heiligkeit gesetzt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		in spiritu vehementi conteres naves Tharsis.