King Of All Creation

Psalm 47

The Christian holy day marking the Ascension of Jesus into heaven was this past Thursday.  As the disciples watched, Jesus was taken back up into heaven, where He is seated at God’s right hand, sharing the power and glory that He had with the Father from before all time.  Jesus came to earth as a humble servant, and as a sacrifice for our sins.  Now He reigns as King over all creation, in power and glory.  Today’s short psalm gives us a look at God as our King, with all majesty and all power.

This brief, short psalm is a festive one, celebrating the universal reign of God.  He reigns over all the earth, over every nation, and He deserves our worship.  As we look around, though, it doesn’t seem that this world is under God’s reign.  Since He is King, then that would make us His subjects, and this world would be His realm.  However, so many people are in outright rebellion against the King, and many others don’t care one way or the other about Him.  God is not a bumbling or inept ruler.  In ancient times kings would often go off to war, leaving their kingdom under other’s control.  If the people of his kingdom rebelled while the king was away, and word got to him of this rebellion, the king would return in power and might, crushing the rebellion, and bringing everything back under his rule.  Jesus knows what is going on, and like a mighty ruler, He will return and bring everything under His power.  Jesus described this scenario in several of His parables (Matthew 21:33-44; Matthew 25:14-30), where He told how the Lord, as King and Ruler, will return to resume authority over those who should be under His rule.  We see this prophesied to happen throughout the Book of Revelation.

We read here in this psalm, in verse 3, that the Lord God will subdue all people and nations under His feet.  This will happen when Jesus returns to earth in the future, perhaps sometime soon.  He came to earth the first time humbly, but the second time He comes, it will be with power.  At that time, He will sit upon His throne, ruling over all nations (vs. 8).  Will we be among those who welcome Jesus’ return, singing His praises (vs. 1, 5-7), or will we be among those who fight against His rule, and must be put under His feet?

In verse 9 we read that all of the shields of the earth belong to God.  Shields were very important in battle as protection against the arrows and swords of the enemy.  Sometimes they were decorated to show which king and kingdom they were fighting for, just like a flag or banner would.  No shield will be able to help when Jesus comes to subdue the nations and people under His rule.  Just as the victorious king will claim the flags and shields of his conquered enemies, Jesus will do the same when He returns.

Why should we praise God?  There are innumerable reasons we can all think of, and there are a few reasons that our psalmist gives in this passage.  One is that God is a great, powerful, and awe-inspiring God (vs. 2).  Another reason is that He has redeemed His people, and given them an inheritance (vs. 3-4).   Jesus paid the price for our salvation, and redeemed our souls.  Those who have become God’s children through the Blood of the Savior will have a wonderful inheritance in His kingdom.  A third reason the psalmist gives to praise Him is that His kingship is universal (vs. 7-9).  Salvation is open to everyone, regardless of their race or nationality, and God welcomes them into His kingdom.  In a spiritual sense, God’s promises to Abraham apply to all who believe in Jesus, regardless of their national or ethnic background (Romans 4:11-12; Galatians 3:7-9).

Jesus returned to heaven on the Day of the Ascension, where He is now seated at God’s right hand in power and glory.  One day soon He will return to earth and put all creation under His power.  Will we be part of those who welcome Him and be a part of His eternal kingdom, or be part of those who continue to rebel and be subdued under His feet.