What does Psalm 47:9 mean?

Many psalms contain dual layers of meaning. They often celebrate contemporary events: incidents that happened during the lifetime of their writers. Those same words can echo as prophecies, frequently by describing the ministry of the Messiah. This psalm, for instance, makes references which aptly depict the rule of Jesus Christ over the entire earth during the end times. This verse evokes the idea of the entire world coming to worship the God of Abraham, showing loyalty to Him alone (Revelation 22:1–5). They will turn to the Messiah and be allowed to enter His glorious earthly kingdom (Revelation 21:22–26). Isaiah 2:1–5 promises that one day the nations will flock to Jerusalem. They will say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths" (Isaiah 2:3).

The word "shields of the earth" in Psalm 47:9 may refer to the kings and prime ministers of the converted Gentile nations, because those leaders are the protectors of their people. At the time depicted by Isaiah, the Lord will decide disputes and the nations will turn their weapons into farm implements (Isaiah 2:4). Peace will prevail at last! Zechariah 14:9 assures readers that "the LORD will be king over all the earth." Today, the Lord is often rejected and despised, but someday, as the psalmist indicates, He will be "highly exalted!"

This passage may also be literally applied to historical events. Two likely candidates for this psalm are the defeat of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19) and the defeat of an attack against Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20).