The Millennial Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-21-2026

Psalm 47

 

Introduction:

A.  The reason for my naming this psalm “The Millennial Psalm” is that it continually references a future event, not something that has already been or now is. 

 

1.  In the beginning, God established the truth of six literal days of creation.  Found in two texts: Genesis chapters 2-3 with the terminology “the evening and the morning” in each of the six consecutive days of creation and His rest from His work on the seventh. 

 

Exodus 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

 

2.  These seven days were an analogy to the seven millenniums of time before the end of times as we know it. 

 

2 Peter 3:7-8  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  (8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

3.  It was a period of four days or four thousand years (four days in God’s economy) from the creation to Christ, two thousand years from Christ to the end time the Church Age ended by the Rapture of the Church (two days in God’s economy),  and one thousand years (one day in God’s economy) consisting of Jacob’s Trouble, also known as The Tribulation Period and Millennium.

 

4.  Eschatology is the study of last things.  J. Dwight Pentecost wrote a book on eschatology titled “Things To Come.”

 

B.  There are two distinct possibilities, both times of peace and prosperity, with the former being the 1,000-year reign of Christ and the latter being eternal, mentioned in the Book of Isaiah.  I will give you both, but the Millennial Reign of Christ is probably the one mentioned in this psalm.

 

1.  God’s Millennial Reign - Isaiah 11:1-10  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  (2)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  (3)  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  (4)  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  (5)  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.  (6)  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  (7)  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  (8)  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  (9)  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  (10)  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

 

2.  God’s Eternal Reign - Isaiah 65:17-25  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  (18)  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  (19)  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.  (20)  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.  (21)  And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  (22)  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  (23)  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.  (24)  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  (25)  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

 

C.  Both occur after the Second Coming of Christ, which takes place in Revelation chapter 19.

 

D.  In this psalm, we see the joy and anticipation of the people of Israel as they have been the most hated people on earth over the millennia.   Today, many of the Orthodox Jews go to the Wailing Wall and pray for the coming of the Messiah.  

 

E.  Psalm 47 emphasizes a timeless truth, "For God is the King of all the earth" (Psalm 47:7), that will be glorious for both the Nation of Israel and all the kingdoms of the earth.

 

F. The time of this writing took place approximately 3,000 to 3,500 years ago, when Israel was in the beginning stages of spiritual and physical decline after the rule of David and Solomon. 

 

G.  Now, let us break down the Psalm verse by verse.

 

1.  The introduction of the psalm: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.”

 

a.  "To the chief Musician" indicates that the psalm was given to the leader of music in Israel's worship, likely the director of the temple choir and orchestra. It was intended to be sung publicly in worship, not merely read privately.  Much like our congregational singing out of our hymnal with musical accompaniment, songs with a message.

 

1)  The psalm was part of Israel's corporate worship.

 

2)  The Psalm was meant to be performed with musical accompaniment.

 

3)  The Psalm carried an important message for the congregation.

 

b.  "A Psalm" - The Hebrew word mizmor refers to a song sung with instrumental accompaniment, especially stringed instruments. Psalm 47 is therefore a song of praise and celebration.

 

c. "For the sons of Korah" - The "sons of Korah" were a family of Levites who served as temple singers and gatekeepers.  Korah was the man who led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16) and was judged by God. However, his descendants were spared (Numbers 26:11) and later became devoted servants in temple worship.  The Sons of Korah were known for composing several psalms, including Psalms 42–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88.

 

2.  Verse 1.  God’s Praise.  “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.”  Here we find enthusiasm!  “Clap … shout!”  Not because of our personal situations of sorrow and defeat, but with joy and excitement!

 

3.  Verse 2.  God’s Position.  “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.”  He is great in His power, lofty in His dominion, eminent in His wisdom, and elevated in His glory.  There is none like Him!

 

4.  Verse 3.  God’s Power.  “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.”  Power to protect and elevate the Nation of Israel, as no weapon formed against them shall prosper! 

 

5.  Verse 4.  God’s Prerogative.  “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.”  Israel, God’s glory!  Israel, the apple of God’s eye!  Israel, God’s chosen!

 

6.  Verse 5.  God’s Promise.  “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.”  One day He is coming, and we will be leaving with Him.  Oh, glorious day!

 

7.  Verse 6.  God’s People.  “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.”  He is Israel’s King but also ours!  On white horses, we shall be like Him and come back with Him. 

 

8.  Verse 7.  God’s Performance.  “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”  Praise Him for His creation!  He created it; He owns it; and He sustains it!  God is in perfect control of all things.

 

9.  Verse 8.  God’s Perfection.  “God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”  On that day, the unruly nations of earth will submit to God’s rule, which will be a rule of righteousness and equity!

 

10.  Verse 9.  God’s Purpose.  “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.”  God’s redemptive purpose is to return His once perfect creation to its former glory for all eternity.  What a day that will be!