Psalm 47 (46):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Another translator, Symmachus, refers to it as the glorification of Jacob, showcasing the precision of the prophecy. Previously, the prophet mentioned that ‘He has subdued us nations and tribes.’ Indeed, the Jewish people were the first to embrace the faith, beginning with three thousand converts, later five thousand, followed by Gentiles. The Lord Himself declared, ‘I have other sheep which are not of this fold, and those also must I bring: and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, and one Shepherd’ (John 10:16).

A particular grace was bestowed upon Jacob for our inheritance. Esau and Jacob, two brothers, grappled even within their mother’s womb, causing her considerable distress; and while they were still there, the younger was favored over the elder. It was proclaimed, “Two nations are in thy womb, and the elder shall serve the younger.” (Gen. 25:23) Among all nations, there exists an elder and a younger; the younger represents the faithful Christians, the chosen, the righteous, while the elder symbolizes the arrogant, the unworthy, the sinful, and the obstinate, who cling to defending rather than confessing their transgressions. This mirrors the people of Judah, who, failing to recognize God’s righteousness, attempted to establish their own. (Rom.

He has selected His treasures for us. What does the Lord consider as His treasure, except that which the Father declares, “Ask of Me, and I will give you nations for Your inheritance” (Psalm 2:8)? The favor of Jacob, which you shall cherish. By the favor of Jacob, He refers to Jacob's prophecy concerning the Gentiles, where he proclaimed, “and he is the hope of nations” (Genesis 49:10). This grace is cherished. And who finds it dear, except for the One who sacrificed His life for it? He has chosen this cherished grace as His treasure.

Instead of referring to ‘men,’ Symmachus translated it as ‘kings’; and Aquila rendered “the goodness of Jacob” as ‘the magnificence of Jacob.’ Thus, the demeanor of the apostles indicates that it is fitting, with shouts of joy and celebration, to sing a triumphant song to the Lord of all peoples, who has conquered kings for us and granted us authority over all nations, as well as bestowed upon us the goodness and greatness of Jacob. This does not pertain to every Jew named James, but rather to the goodness, excellence, and preeminence of James, those who are adorned with faith, who have genuinely received the message and embraced the good yoke of the Savior. These are the ones He chose and cherished, to whom He entrusted the apostolic ministry.

You have selected us as your inheritance. Through us, as the builders of His Church, Christ chose the Gentiles deemed worthy of this inheritance, as indicated in the scripture, “I will give you nations for your inheritance” (Psalm 2:8). It was through us Apostles, functioning as guides, that this mighty King embraced them among His followers and drew them to Himself. The beloved goodness of Jacob is evident. Furthermore, Christ chose not only the Jews and Gentiles mentioned earlier through us—His Apostles—but also the most honorable and valuable representatives of Jacob's lineage, whom He regarded as beautiful in virtue.

The third rationale stems from another blessing the Lord bestowed upon His people, setting them apart from the other nations and designating them as His inheritance. From this group, He established the first church, comprised of faithful Jews, specifically the apostles and other disciples. The Prophet illustrates this divine selection by referring to the goodness of Jacob, which the Lord cherished. Although many in Judah displayed hardness of heart and engaged in idolatry—ultimately leading to their rejection—there were also holy Patriarchs whose faith and character were pleasing in God's sight. Consequently, the Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, refers to the Jews as beloved of God for the sake of their forefathers (Romans 11:28).

The prophet invites everyone to Christ, celebrating the solemn procession of the Lord's ark to Mount Zion, symbolizing the divine ascension of Christ the Lord, who took on pure humanity, to the heavenly Zion, marking the arrival of tongues into His Holy Church. The Psalm foretells the unstoppable force of the Gospel's proclamation; it is sung in honor of the Apostles, who encourage the nations to rejoice vigorously after their triumph over spiritual foes. Those who have been illuminated by the light of Christ's faith are urged to joyfully raise prayers to the Source of their victory.