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Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
6Sing praises to God! Sing praises! Sing praises to our King! Sing praises!
7For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.
8God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne.
9The princes of the peoples are gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God. He is greatly exalted!
Notice
The nations stand under God's reign, and his holy throne challenges the sense that human rulers hold the highest power.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
Which nation's affairs come to mind as you read that God reigns over the nations?
Write on thisWhat difference does the word “holy” make as you consider God's throne?
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Where else Scripture says this
11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.
This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
1 Chronicles 16:31Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice! Let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!”Both passages declare God's reign in relation to the nations, making his rule a reason for praise.
Revelation 4:9When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever,Both passages portray God seated on the throne; Revelation describes living creatures giving him glory, honor, and thanks.
Psalm 9:4For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.Both psalms speak of God's throne, with Psalm 47 naming its holiness and Psalm 9 describing his righteous judgment.
Revelation 20:11I saw a great white throne and him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the sky fled away. There was found no place for them.Both passages portray God seated on a throne; Revelation adds the earth and sky fleeing from his face.
Revelation 19:6I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, and like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of mighty thunders, saying, “Hallelujah! For the …God's reign is declared in both passages, within songs of praise in Psalm 47 and a multitude's shout in Revelation.
Ezekiel 43:7He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell among the children of Israel forever. The …God's throne and holiness appear in both passages; Ezekiel also speaks of his dwelling among Israel and the defiling of his holy name.
2 Chronicles 20:6and he said, “LORD, the God of our fathers, aren’t you God in heaven? Aren’t you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, …Both passages name God's rule over the nations, with Chronicles expressing that rule in a prayer about his unmatched power.
Psalm 47:7For God is the King of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding.The neighboring verse names God as King of all the earth; verse 8 describes his reign over the nations.
Psalm 45:6–7Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.Both passages address God's royal authority through his throne, described as holy in Psalm 47 and enduring forever in Psalm 45.
Psalm 48:1A Song. A Psalm by the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.Both passages associate God with holiness: Psalm 47 names his holy throne, and Psalm 48 names his holy mountain.
Hebrews 4:16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.Both passages speak of God's throne; the psalm names its holiness, while Hebrews urges approach for mercy and help.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. fear for the future. injustice and anger.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
No nation lies beyond God's rule. The verse leaves many questions about events unanswered, while declaring that the throne above every earthly power belongs to God.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).