What does Psalm 47:5 mean?

This psalm celebrates God in the context of some victory. Scholars differ as to whether the song applies to a specific event or as a general praise. There are close parallels between the structure of this psalm and the incident recorded in 2 Chronicles chapter 20. There, Jehoshaphat praised God as sovereign over the entire earth and as the One who chose Israel. He praised God for defeating many nations, and his praises included the use of instruments (2 Chronicles 20:6–7, 21, 24–30).

Other commentators see a connection to the defeat of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35–37) and the Assyrian forces that surrounded Jerusalem. The Assyrian messenger, the Rabshakeh, tried to intimidate the people of Jerusalem. He warned the people of Jerusalem to surrender rather than trust God (2 Kings 18:28–35). But the Assyrian king was mistaken; the angel of the Lord went out at night and decimated the vast army of Assyrian soldiers (2 Kings 19:35). Sennacherib returned home in utter defeat (2 Kings 19:36). The shout and sound of a trumpet mentioned in Psalm 47:5 are the sounds of triumph as the Lord victoriously ascended to His throne.

The portrayal in this psalm is also prophetic. The concept of praising God for victory is an appropriate description of Jesus' ascension to the throne at the Father's right hand. This glorious end is assured after Christ defeated the Devil at Calvary and gained salvation for sinners (Ephesians 1:19–23; 4:8–10).