Psalm 47:2

Psalm 47:2

He is awesome!

Isn’t it great when you did deeper into a verse of Scripture and discover that there are hidden delights? On the face of it, this verse is straightforward, “For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.” Why, even a very young believer could pronounce such words!

The title, “Most High” is borrowed from the time of Abraham. The ancient father of Israel had secured a great military victory over King Kedorlaomer (from the region of Babylon) and in so doing had rescued his nephew, Lot, and also earned the favour of the Canaanite kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. The story unfolds in Genesis 14. On his way back home to his camp, Abraham happened to pass the city of Salem where he was met by its king – Melchizedek. The two men shared bread and wine just outside Jerusalem! Does that remind you of anyone? Melchizedek is named as “priest of God Most High” and he uses the name “Most High” to pronounce a blessing on Abraham. The term “Most High” was used to describe the supreme Canaanite god but Abraham takes the expression, expands it and uses it to bear testimony to the one true God. In Genesis 14:22 he says, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth….” So, the term is rooted in Israel’s history and borrowed from their father who made a sacred oath and pronounced the superiority of the Lord over all other gods.

In a similar way, the imperial kings of Assyria were known as the Great Kings. They were obviously active at the time that this Psalm was written and they represented the most powerful empire of the day. (Sennacherib was one such king who was known by this title. 2 Kings 18:19) So, borrowing that expression from Assyria was a powerful, political statement – the God of Israel was greater than the most powerful dynasties on earth. Greater than the spiritual prince who masterminds them! Indeed, we have to agree with the Psalmist – He is awesome!

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