Psalms – Chapter 47

Old Testament15 Verses

1A psalm of a canticle, for the sons of Core, on the second day of the week.

2Great is the Lord, and exceedingly to be praised in the city of our God, in his holy mountain.

3With the joy of the whole earth is mount Sion founded, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king.

4In her houses shall God be known, when he shall protect her.

5For behold the kings of the earth assembled themselves: they gathered together.

6So they saw, and they wondered, they were troubled, they were moved:

7Trembling took hold of them. There were pains as of a woman in labour.

8With a vehement wind thou shalt break in pieces the ships of Tharsis.

9As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God: God hath founded it for ever.

10We have received thy mercy, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

11According to thy name, O God, so also is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of justice.

12Let mount Sion rejoice, and the daughters of Juda be glad; because of thy judgments, O Lord.

13Surround Sion, and encompass her: tell ye in her towers.

14Set your hearts on her strength; and distribute her houses, that ye may relate it in another generation.

15For this is God, our God unto eternity, and for ever and ever: he shall rule us for evermore.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 47 presents themes of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God that Catholic tradition has long cherished. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The teaching that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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