Psalm 47:8
New International Version
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

New Living Translation
God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne.

English Standard Version
God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.

Berean Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

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

New King James Version
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

New American Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

NASB 1995
God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

NASB 1977
God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

Legacy Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne.

Amplified Bible
God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.

Christian Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

American Standard Version
God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.

Contemporary English Version
God rules the nations from his sacred throne.

English Revised Version
God reigneth over the nations: God sitteth upon his holy throne.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God rules the nations. He sits upon his holy throne.

Good News Translation
God sits on his sacred throne; he rules over the nations.

International Standard Version
God is king over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Majority Standard Bible
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.

NET Bible
God reigns over the nations! God sits on his holy throne!

New Heart English Bible
God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.

Webster's Bible Translation
God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

World English Bible
God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
God has reigned over nations, God has sat on His holy throne,

Young's Literal Translation
God hath reigned over nations, God hath sat on His holy throne,

Smith's Literal Translation
God reigned over the nations; God sat upon his holy throne.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
God shall reign over the nations: God sitteth on his holy throne.

Catholic Public Domain Version
God will reign over the peoples. God sits upon his holy throne.

New American Bible
God rules over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.

New Revised Standard Version
God is king over the nations; God sits on his holy throne.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
God reigns over the heathen; God sits upon his holy throne.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
God reigns over the nations. God sits upon his holy throne.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
God reigneth over the nations; God sitteth upon His holy throne.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
God reigns over the nations: God sits upon the throne of his holiness.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Clap Your Hands, All You Peoples
7For God is King of all the earth; sing profound praises to Him. 8God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne. 9The nobles of the nations have assembled as the people of the God of Abraham; for the shields of the earth belong to God; He is highly exalted.…

Cross References
Daniel 4:34-35
But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. / All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’”

Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Revelation 19:6
And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

1 Timothy 6:15-16
which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings and Lord of lords—will bring about in His own time. / He alone is immortal and dwells in unapproachable light. No one has ever seen Him, nor can anyone see Him. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.

Psalm 103:19
The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

Psalm 22:28
For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations.

Zechariah 14:9
On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.

Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in heaven and on earth belongs to You. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. / Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.

Ephesians 1:20-22
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, / far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. / And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,

Psalm 93:1
The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.

Hebrews 1:8
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Jeremiah 10:10
But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.


Treasury of Scripture

God reigns over the heathen: God sits on the throne of his holiness.

reigneth

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 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.

Psalm 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.

throne

Psalm 9:4
For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Psalm 45:6,7
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre…

Psalm 48:1
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

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Psalm 47
1. The nations are exhorted cheerfully to entertain the kingdom of Christ.














God reigns over the nations;
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty of God over all the earth, not just Israel. It reflects the biblical theme of God's universal kingship, as seen in passages like Psalm 22:28, which states, "For dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations." Historically, this would have been a powerful statement during a time when nations were often at war and gods were seen as territorial. The assertion that God reigns over all nations would have been a declaration of His supreme authority and power, transcending geographical and political boundaries. This also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of the Gospel being for all nations, as seen in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations.

God is seated on His holy throne.
The imagery of God seated on a throne signifies His position as the ultimate judge and ruler. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a throne was a symbol of authority and governance. The mention of a "holy throne" underscores the purity and righteousness of God's rule, contrasting with the often corrupt and unjust human rulers. This phrase connects to Isaiah 6:1, where Isaiah sees the Lord "seated on a throne, high and exalted," highlighting God's majesty and holiness. Theologically, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is described in Hebrews 1:3 as sitting at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven, indicating His completed work and ongoing reign. The throne also points to the eschatological hope found in Revelation 4:2, where John sees a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it, symbolizing God's eternal reign and the ultimate fulfillment of His kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The central figure in this verse, representing the sovereign ruler over all nations. His authority and kingship are emphasized.

2. Nations
Refers to all the peoples and countries of the world, highlighting the universal scope of God's reign.

3. Holy Throne
Symbolizes God's divine authority and purity. It is a place of power and holiness, indicating His righteous rule.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is in control of all nations and events. This truth should bring comfort and assurance, especially in times of global uncertainty.

Universal Authority
Understand that God's reign is not limited to a specific group or region. His authority extends to all people, calling for a global acknowledgment of His lordship.

Holiness of God
Reflect on the holiness of God's throne, which calls us to approach Him with reverence and awe. Our worship should be marked by a deep respect for His purity and righteousness.

Trust in God's Plan
In a world where political and social systems often seem unstable, trust in God's ultimate plan and purpose. His reign ensures that His will is accomplished.

Call to Worship
As God reigns over the nations, we are invited to join in the worship of His majesty. Our lives should be a testament to His glory and sovereignty.Verse 8. - God reigneth over the heathen. God had manifested his kingly power over the heathen by subduing great numbers of them, and making them subject to Israel. He would one day manifest it still more by bringing all nations into his Church. God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The throne from which he exercises a just, a righteous, and a holy rule.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
God
אֱ֭לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

reigns
מָלַ֣ךְ (mā·laḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

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

the nations;
גּוֹיִ֑ם (gō·w·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1471: A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts

God
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

is seated
יָשַׁ֤ב ׀ (yā·šaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

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

His holy
קָדְשֽׁוֹ׃ (qā·ḏə·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

throne.
כִּסֵּ֬א (kis·sê)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne


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OT Poetry: Psalm 47:8 God reigns over the nations (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 47:7
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