Chapter 47

Ps.47:1. Psalm of the Song of the Sons of Korah, Second Sabbath. And this psalm is sung on behalf of the holy Apostles, who describe the persecution for preaching and the victories won. Ps.47:2. Great is the Lord and highly praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His saints. Not in Judea alone, but also on the consecrated mountain. The Church here calls it “Mountain”, according to the height of its dogmas about God. Ps.47:3. The noble joy of the whole earth. He spread, he says, joy throughout the whole earth, because throughout the whole earth he expanded both the joy of His theophany and grace. Mountains of Zion, ribs of the north. Jerusalem is in the south, and the pagan nations are in the north. since the Jews were proud that they alone inhabited Mount Zion, this word shows that Zion are pagans who accepted the word of the Gospel. For the foundation of Zion is its northern side, and this side is what the Psalmist means with the words: “ribs of the north,” and instead of saying: north side, he said: “ribs of the north.” Previously, Paul was also a northern ribs, from whom all the disasters on earth were kindled, but now he has become the mountains of Zion, having in himself the speaking Christ, who came from Zion and turned away wickedness from Jacob. These ribs of the north, or pagans, can be called a city; in them God is recognized, their protector, saving them from temptations. Ps.47:4. We know God in difficult times, He always intervenes. By these burdens one can understand the great and eminent inhabitants of the city of God, who have primacy in it. Ps.47:5. As if all the kings of the earth had gathered together. The war for preaching, raised against the Apostles by both the sensual pagan kings and the invisible demons who reigned from ancient times, ended and was destroyed. Ps.47:6. When Tia saw the taco, she was surprised. They, he says, are amazed and amazed, seeing God’s help to the saints. Ps.47:7. I'm thrilled. For the superiority of the power of the Savior produced wonder and amazement in them. Ps.47:8. With a stormy spirit you will crush the ships of the Tarsians. He likens kings to the Farsi ships, as valuable and laden with rich cargo. And by the stormy spirit with which he crushed them, understand the forces with which he overcame the enemies of the apostles. Ps.47:9. As we hear, so we see. What kind of salvation You promised us, Master, we actually saw. In the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God. Shows where they saw the promise fulfilled. Where, if not in the Church, which is the city of God? This is similar to what the Lord said: “On this rock I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18). Ps.47:10. God received Thy mercy, in the midst of Thy church, 4 but St. Athanasius read ναου instead of λαου. “Priyakhom” instead of “saw.” We expected, he says, that the name of God would be glorified throughout the whole earth, concluding that by the mercy of the Lord people outside Israel would not be despised. But, staying in one place and in the church, they hoped that mercy would be universal, knowing that Your name is universal and for everyone. Ps.47:11. According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise. He says this because the Lord gave grace to everyone generally and impartially, according to what was said: “in Christ Jesus... there is neither bond nor freedom” (Gal. 3:28). Ps.47:12. Let Mount Zion rejoice. Mount Zion is obviously the Church. And let the daughters of the Jews rejoice. He says that the souls of the holy Apostles are daughters of the Jews, for the Apostles were from the Jews. For your destinies, Lord. Having carried out judgment on the pagans, You reflected the demonic abuse against them. Ps.47:13. Surround Zion and embrace her. The Holy Spirit commands this to the Apostles, so that they would be, as it were, the wall of Zion, that is, of godly life. Or the Holy Spirit proclaims to the divine Powers and holy Angels, guardians of the Church and pious life, saying: “become the pillars.” For the best fortifications in the city, as those most in need of protection, are entrusted to numerous guards. Lead him in the crowd. Who are the “pillars” of the Church if not its leaders, erected in their time, and the righteous, to whom the Apostles will tell the greatness of God? Ps.47:14. Place your hearts in his strength. The strength of the Church again consists of words that serve to strengthen it, about which he commands the holy Apostles to teach them with all their hearts. Let each one reign over a portion of the Gentiles, because, he says, the twelve have divided the world for themselves. Like a story of a different kind. For the Apostles will tell about Christ and the subsequent generations in the writings they left. Ps.47:15. For He is our God forever. Shows the reason for the separation. For this purpose, divide and teach, so that later future generations will know that He who fell people so righteously (meaning the Lord) will himself shepherd them into future endless centuries. In glory translation reads: “in the midst of your people” You might be interested in: