Psalms 47:5
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Ancient coronation ceremonies involved elaborate processions, acclamation, and trumpet blasts. When Solomon was crowned, Zadok the priest took the horn of oil and anointed him, 'and they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy' (1 Kings 1:39-40). Similar celebrations marked other royal enthronements.
Israel's religious festivals involved trumpet blasts and shouts. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah, Leviticus 23:24) featured sustained shofar blowing. The Ark's procession to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) involved 'shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.' Some scholars propose annual liturgical celebrations of God's kingship incorporating this psalm, possibly during the Feast of Tabernacles.
Christ's ascension fulfilled this imagery. Forty days after resurrection, He led His disciples to Bethany, blessed them, and 'was carried up into heaven' (Luke 24:51). Angels announced: 'this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven' (Acts 1:11). He ascended to the Father's right hand, far above all principality and power (Ephesians 1:20-21).
Early Christian preaching emphasized Christ's ascension as proving His kingship. Peter at Pentecost proclaimed: 'Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear' (Acts 2:33). Christ's exaltation demonstrated His victory, vindication, and enthronement as Lord of all.
The Apostles' Creed confesses: 'He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.' This isn't merely historical fact but present reality—Christ reigns now as King. Though His kingship isn't universally acknowledged, He governs history, sustains the church, intercedes for believers, and will return to consummate His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's ascension to the Father's right hand demonstrate His victory over sin, death, and Satan?
- What does it mean practically that Christ currently reigns 'at the right hand of God,' and how should this affect daily life?
- How does understanding Christ's ascension with triumph and celebration affect our anticipation of His return?
- In what ways should believers celebrate Christ's current kingship even though it's not yet universally acknowledged?
Analysis & Commentary
God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. This verse describes God's ascent to His throne, celebrated with triumphant acclamation and trumpet fanfare. The imagery evokes ancient coronation ceremonies and prophetically points to Christ's ascension.
"God is gone up" (עָלָה אֱלֹהִים/alah Elohim) uses alah, meaning to ascend, go up, mount. This pictures God ascending to His throne, taking His seat as King. Some interpreters see this referencing the Ark of the Covenant being carried up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:12-15) in a liturgical procession celebrating God's enthronement. Others see it as purely symbolic—God enthroned in heaven, exalted above all.
For Christian interpretation, this verse prophetically points to Christ's ascension. After His resurrection, Jesus 'was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight' (Acts 1:9). He ascended to the Father's right hand (Mark 16:19), entering heaven as conquering King. Ephesians 4:8-10 quotes Psalm 68:18 (another ascension passage) as referring to Christ's victorious ascent.
"With a shout" (בִּתְרוּעָה/bitru'ah) describes the accompaniment: a loud cry of triumph, victory shout, acclamation. Teru'ah was the shout raised when the Ark processed (2 Samuel 6:15), when kings were crowned (1 Kings 1:39-40), when warriors won victory. It's jubilant, triumphant, celebratory noise—the sound of subjects hailing their victorious king.
"The LORD with the sound of a trumpet" (יְהוָה בְּקוֹל שׁוֹפָר/Yahweh beqol shofar) adds the shofar (ram's horn) blast. The shofar signaled important religious and royal occasions: feasts (Leviticus 25:9), battles (Joshua 6:4-5), coronations (1 Kings 1:34), divine theophanies (Exodus 19:16). Its piercing sound announced significant events and summoned assembly.
Together, the shout and trumpet create an atmosphere of magnificent celebration—God ascending to His throne amid triumphant acclaim. This foreshadows Christ's return: 'the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God' (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The shout and trumpet that accompanied His ascent will accompany His return.