1. TYPE OF PSALM: Hymn of praise to God for victory
Psalm 47 celebrates the great victory of a great King. It is part of the songs of Zion that celebrate the dwelling place of God, center of unity, where the Lord is the defense of the holy city of Jerusalem. The origin of the psalm is probably victory achieved over the Assyrian king Sennacherib in 701 BC., when Hezekiah King of Judah, the prophet Isaiah and the town invoked in the temple God, who during the night destroyed the enemy army, leaving the city under siege free (cf. 2 Re 18–19).
2. READ THE WORD.
Psalm 46
2All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, 3For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.
4Submit peoples to our yoke,
nations put at our feet;
5He chooses us our inheritance,
Jacob's pride, his beloved.
6God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts. 7Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.
8For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise. 9God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.
10Pagan princes gather
with the people of the God of Abraham.
for the king of the earth belong to God;
he is greatly exalted.
What does the text say?
–v.2-6: The first part is an acclamation of praise to God. Praise must be accompanied by applause, to sing with the voice and with all our being the victory of God who has saved us from danger. It is an invitation to universal praise.
As when a victorious king returns in battle and enters the city acclaimed by his people, so we must acclaim our God in his house. He is above all our fears. He is the King of the universe.
Among all nations, Israel (Jacob) must feel fortunate to have been chosen as his people.
vv.7-10. The second part of the psalm reiterates the praise with a jubilant and joyful song; remembering once again that he is the king of the universe.
The psalm concludes with a surprising note of openness to all nations. The princes of other nations meet with the People of the God of Abraham (v. 10). As the prophet Isaiah expected, the enemy peoples among themselves will be invited to throw down their weapons and live together under a single lordship, in a kingdom of peace and justice (Is 2,2-5)
3. MEDITATE ON THE WORD. Does this reading say anything special to you?
In the Old Testament, Israel is recognized as the People of God, the chosen people ... However, little by little it is manifesting in its reflection that this election is not exclusive and it can enter all the peoples of the earth, all humanity. The concept of “choice” expands, and the power of our God extends to all the peoples of the earth.
4. PRAY WITH THE WORD. What do you say to God?
On this Sunday let us acclaim and sing to God with joy, let us accompany the songs during the Eucharistic celebration. Because the Lord has overcome and will overcome over everything that afflicts and worries us. "Let us sing in honor of our God, let us all honor the king and sing."
5. CONTEMPLATE THE WORD. How does your look change?
This Psalm reminds us that God is above everything. How many times have we wanted to enclose God in our ideas in our way of living and understanding the faith? And by doing this, we exclude those who do not belong to our community, to our Church. We think that the Lord cares only for us, feeling like a chosen people. But the Lord is the God of the universe and all peoples are called to praise him. But this will not happen as long as we do not open ourselves to the possibility of praising him with songs, with applause with instruments played by other peoples.
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