Psalm 47 (46):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Where, then, is the “shout of triumph”? Who proclaimed it at His ascension? In that moment, there was only silence, with just the eleven disciples present. It is clear that we should not interpret these phrases literally; rather, we must grasp their intended meanings. As I indicated at the beginning of the psalm, the term “exclamation” signifies more than sound; it conveys victory. Thus, it asserts that Christ ascended triumphantly, having conquered death, vanquished sin, expelled demons, obliterated falsehood, transformed all things for the greater good, and restored our nature to its rightful, or even enhanced, homeland.

At His ascension, nothing could stand against Him—not the grip of sin, nor death’s hold, nor any dominion of decay or evil. He shattered these barriers effortlessly. Having dismantled the forces of darkness and overcome all antagonism, He ascended, completing what He had set out to achieve. This is reflected in Paul’s depiction of Christ’s victory: “having taken away the powers from the rulers and authorities, having put them to shame with power, triumphing over them by Himself.” Furthermore, he states, “having destroyed by doctrine the manuscript which was against us, and He took it from the midst and nailed it to the cross” (Col. 2:14, 15).

“The Lord at the sound of the trumpet,” the prophet indicates, conveys a resplendent victory. Alternatively, it may also suggest clarity, familiarity, and solemnity. While the event went unnoticed by many, its significance became as vivid as if a trumpet had sounded, perhaps even more so. Although the ascension occurred quietly, its essence was unmistakably proclaimed across the universe, glorified as if by a trumpet. Indeed, nothing could summon all towards this divine spectacle like the transformative deeds of Christ, announcing His ascension with a resonance surpassing thunder. Unlike thunder, which can only be heard by those present, these actions echoed across generations louder than any trumpet or storm could.

To refer to the mouths of the apostles as trumpets—greater than brass, more precious than gold or jewels—is fitting. The prophet uses “at the sound of the trumpet” rather than “in a trumpet” to indicate their harmonious agreement, as Paul states, “whether I, or they, we preach thus” (1 Cor. 15:11), and it is also recorded that “the multitude that believed had one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32). The apostles proclaimed like trumpets—not summoning to battle, but heralding a victory. Just as trumpets lead armies into conflict, encouraging them through both sight and sound, so too did the apostles draw the crowds to their message, sounding forth as a clarion call in every city they entered.

The angels proclaimed the ascension of the Lord: they witnessed the disciples as their Lord ascended, waiting, filled with awe, silent yet rejoicing within their hearts: and then the clear voice of the angels rang out, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus.” (Acts 1:11) As if they were unaware that it was indeed the same Jesus. Had they not just seen Him with their own eyes? Had they not just heard His voice? Furthermore, they had not only beheld His figure but had also touched His body. Did they not recognize for themselves that it was the same Jesus? Yet, caught up in wonder, in the exhilaration of joy, they seemed as if transported, and the angels affirmed that He was Jesus. It was as if they meant to say, ‘If you have faith in Him, here stands the very Jesus who was crucified, whom you stumbled over, who died and was buried, whom you thought you had lost.’ Now, this is the same Jesus. He has ascended before you; He will return the same way you witnessed Him ascend into heaven. His physical presence may be hidden from your sight, but God is not distant from your hearts: behold Him ascend, trust in His absence, hope for His return; and yet, through His hidden mercy, sense His presence. For He who ascended to heaven, departing from your sight, promised you, saying, “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matt. 28:20) Therefore, the Apostle rightly counseled us, “The Lord is near; be anxious for nothing.” (Phil. 4:5-6) Christ reigns in heaven; though Heaven may seem distant, He who occupies that place is ever near.

The trumpet's call is a reminder of the phrase, "Lift up your gates, O princes," uttered by the angels prior to the ascension, who urged the heights to open their doors for the entrance of the King, as noted in the aforementioned psalm. This trumpeting precedes Christ’s return from the battle, signaling the people to prepare the paths for His arrival.

Another interpretation suggests that the angels’ voices signify a call that would echo throughout the world via the teachings of the Apostles, as noted by Chrysostom and Theodoret. Chrysostom remarks that it is not mentioned that He was led up, but rather that He ascended, emphasizing that this journey was initiated by Him alone, unlike Elijah, who was guided by another force. Luke writes that the apostles observed Him as He ascended into heaven, indicating that this ascent was accomplished through His own power.

If He could tread upon the waters while still within a body subject to suffering, how remarkable is it that He could traverse the air upon being transformed into a glorified state? The mention of acclamation underscores that He ascended in triumph, having conquered death and vanquished sin, and the trumpet’s sound represents the glory of that victory. Referring to the Apostles as trumpets is not misleading; the emphasis on "the trumpet" indicates their harmonious unity. Their call is not for war but a proclamation of the rewards of victory.

Others suggest that the exclamation and trumpet convey that through the revelation of the Divine Spirit, God, manifested in human form, reigns among the highest powers, reminiscent of a celestial voice. As the Apostle Paul states, "What does it mean that He ascended, except that He also descended first into the lower regions of the earth? He who descended is the same One who also ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things."

Consequently, Christ entered heaven, ascending by His own divine authority because He is God; thus, it is stated, “God ascended.” The subsequent phrases, “in shouting, in the voice of the trumpet,” surely draw from the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament, where, during sacred gatherings in the temple, the Levites would sing and sound the trumpets with great volume to encourage the congregation to glorify God’s might. Here, the shout and the trumpet’s voice should be understood spiritually, as representing the proclamation of the angels, as Chrysostom observes in his commentary on this psalm.