Psalm 47:2
New International Version
For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.

New Living Translation
For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.

English Standard Version
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.

Berean Standard Bible
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!

King James Bible
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

New King James Version
For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth.

New American Standard Bible
For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.

NASB 1995
For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.

NASB 1977
For the LORD Most High is to be feared, A great King over all the earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
For Yahweh Most High is fearsome, A great King over all the earth.

Amplified Bible
For the LORD Most High is to be feared [and worshiped with awe-inspired reverence and obedience]; He is a great King over all the earth.

Christian Standard Bible
For the LORD, the Most High, is awe-inspiring, a great King over the whole earth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For Yahweh, the Most High, is awe-inspiring, a great King over all the earth.

American Standard Version
For Jehovah Most High is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD Most High is fearsome, the ruler of all the earth.

English Revised Version
For the LORD Most High is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
We must fear the LORD, the Most High. He is the great king of the whole earth.

Good News Translation
The LORD, the Most High, is to be feared; he is a great king, ruling over all the world.

International Standard Version
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.

Majority Standard Bible
How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!

NET Bible
For the sovereign LORD is awe-inspiring; he is the great king who rules the whole earth!

New Heart English Bible
For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.

Webster's Bible Translation
For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

World English Bible
For Yahweh Most High is awesome. He is a great King over all the earth.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For YHWH Most High [is] fearful, "" A great King over all the earth.

Young's Literal Translation
For Jehovah Most High is fearful, A great king over all the earth.

Smith's Literal Translation
For Jehovah the Most High is terrible; a great King over all the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For the Lord is high, terrible: a great king over all the earth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For the Lord is exalted and terrible: a great King over all the earth.

New American Bible
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, the great king over all the earth,

New Revised Standard Version
For the LORD, the Most High, is awesome, a great king over all the earth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For the LORD is most high and reverenced; he is a great King over all the earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because LORD JEHOVAH is exalted and awesome; he is The Great King over all the Earth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the LORD is most high, awful; A great King over all the earth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the Lord most high is terrible; he is a great king over all the earth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clap Your Hands, All You Peoples
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph. 2How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3He subdues nations beneath us, and peoples under our feet.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:37
Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.

Psalm 95:3
For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.

Psalm 96:4
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 97:9
For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.

Psalm 99:2
Great is the LORD in Zion; He is exalted above all the peoples.

Psalm 113:4
The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.

Psalm 135:5
For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods.

Psalm 145:3
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

Deuteronomy 10:17
For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God, showing no partiality and accepting no bribe.

Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

1 Chronicles 16:25
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

Isaiah 40:22
He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Isaiah 45:22-23
Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. / By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Jeremiah 10:6-7
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. / Who would not fear You, O King of nations? This is Your due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You.

Zephaniah 2:11
The LORD will be terrifying to them when He starves all the gods of the earth. Then the nations of every shore will bow in worship to Him, each in its own place.


Treasury of Scripture

For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.

is terrible

Psalm 65:5
By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:

Psalm 66:3-5
Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee…

Psalm 68:35
O God, thou art terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto his people. Blessed be God.

a great

Psalm 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Psalm 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…

Psalm 95:3
For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

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Awesome Awful Earth Feared Fearful Great High Terrible
Psalm 47
1. The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of Christ.














How awesome is the LORD Most High
The term "awesome" reflects a sense of reverence and fear, acknowledging God's majesty and power. The title "LORD Most High" emphasizes God's supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. This phrase echoes the biblical theme of God's transcendence, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 10:17, where God is described as "God of gods and Lord of lords." The use of "Most High" is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where many cultures had their own deities, yet the psalmist declares the LORD as the supreme God above all.

the great King over all the earth!
This phrase highlights God's universal reign, not limited to Israel but extending over the entire earth. It reflects the biblical theme of God's kingdom, as seen in Psalm 103:19, where His kingdom rules over all. The concept of God as "King" is central to the understanding of His authority and governance. In the historical context, earthly kings were seen as powerful rulers, but this verse elevates God as the ultimate King. This also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as King of Kings, as seen in Revelation 19:16, affirming His dominion and authority over all nations and peoples.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD Most High
This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and sovereignty over all creation. In Hebrew, "Elyon" is used, highlighting God's exalted status.

2. The Earth
Represents the entirety of creation, over which God reigns as King. It signifies the scope of God's dominion and authority.

3. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to the sons of Korah, who were Levites responsible for temple worship. They often wrote psalms that focus on God's majesty and kingship.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize and submit to God's ultimate authority in every aspect of life. His rule is not limited by human boundaries or limitations.

Worship and Reverence
Approach God with awe and reverence, acknowledging His greatness and majesty in our worship practices.

Global Perspective
Understand that God's kingship extends over all nations and peoples, encouraging us to pray for and engage in global missions.

Trust in God's Rule
In times of uncertainty, find peace in the knowledge that God is the great King over all the earth, orchestrating His divine plan.

Reflecting God's Majesty
As believers, we are called to reflect God's majesty in our lives, living in a way that honors His kingship.(2) Most high.--Or, possibly, a predicate, is exalted.

Terrible.--Literally, feared. (Comp. 2Chronicles 20:29).

Verse 2. - For the Lord Most High is terrible (comp. Deuteronomy 7:21; and see also Psalm 65:5; Psalm 68:35; Psalm 76:7-9). God is "terrible" - i.e. awful to contemplate-on account of his vast power and his absolute holiness. He is a great King over all the earth. Not only over Israel, or over the nations which David has conquered, but ever every nation on the face of the earth (comp. Psalm 95:3, 4; Psalm 96:10; Psalm 97:1, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
How
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

awesome [is]
נוֹרָ֑א (nō·w·rā)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the Most High,
עֶלְי֣וֹן (‘el·yō·wn)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5945: An elevation, lofty, as title, the Supreme

the great
גָּ֝דוֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

King
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the earth!
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Poetry: Psalm 47:2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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