Prayer for All Members Based on Pastor Barry’s Message, April 16, 2023 Psalm 47

Dragged Up

Introduction: As shown in the title, Psalm 47 was written by the Sons of Korah to be sung in the congregation, and we are invited to participate in the congregational worship. They are singing in anticipation of the Messiah King who was going to come for them, and has now come.

In two choruses, this Psalm reminds us why we sing to the Lord Most High. The statement about Him in verse 5 sums up the previous verses 1-4, and the statement about Him at the end of verse 9 sums up verses 6-9.

1. God has gone up with a shout, ...with the sound of a trumpet: Celebrating the King’s Coronation (1-5)

   In verse 5, it is the shout of the people and the sounding of their trumpet that we are hearing. God’s people are celebrating His ascension to the throne as they’ve been told to do in verses 1-4:

   • Worship God for who He is. Not just Israel, but all peoples are commanded to praise Him because He is the Lord Most High who is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.

   • Worship God for what He has done. Israel says we have seen His power over all nations in the victory He has won for us, and He even chose a land, an inheritance to give us.

     This and other praise Psalms shape our understanding of what Christ our Messiah King has done for us; see how Revelation 1:5-7 parallels Psalm 47:

     Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

     We praise Christ our King for the victory He has won for us in freeing us and making us a kingdom. Christ’s being seated in heaven reflects the coronation in Psalm 47. Today we have reason to celebrate Christ’s ascension just as Israel called on all peoples to celebrate His coming and sure coronation.

     Lord, thank You that You have ascended to Your throne after winning the victory for us! Please help us give testimony and celebrate all the great things You have done in our lives.

2. He is highly exalted: Celebrating the King’s Sovereign Rule (6-9)

   In verse 9, God is said to be highly exalted because of who He is as the now ascended and reigning King. That is why verses 6-8 command everyone to sing praises to Him. In praising Him we are recognizing and celebrating the reality that He is on His throne, and that makes all the difference now and for all eternity.

   The Bible tells us there is coming a time when everything will be beautiful. Where do we find that beauty on earth today? In the microcosm of heaven that is the church. When we gather to praise God, to listen to His Word, to pray, and to confess our sins and receive His forgiveness, we are like a foyer to heaven, an anteroom to the throne room of God, a shelter from the storms of this world.

   Lord, thank You that You are even now ruling on Your throne! Through our wonderful worship every Sunday, please give a glimpse of Your heavenly exaltation to all who come.