What does Psalm 47:3 mean?

This continues to praise God for His immense power (Psalm 47:1–2). Scholars differ when interpreting this reference to victory. The Hebrew phrasing is unclear and can be rendered in more than one way. One possibility suggests a look back to the Lord's might during the conquest of Canaan (Psalm 44:1–3). Another is defeat of a powerful foe, such as Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35–37) or the armies who massed against Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:22–26). Still others look into the future, end-times rule of Christ on earth.

Israel entered Canaan, the Promised Land, as pilgrims, not warriors (Deuteronomy 7:6–8). Clearly, it was the Lord's power which subdued peoples under the Israelites. Before capturing the well-fortified city of Jericho, Joshua sent two spies there. Rahab, a harlot and resident of Jericho hid them from pursuers. She said, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites…And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath" (Joshua 2:9–11).