Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us and the nations under our feet.
Psalm 47:1-3
What is the big deal about clapping one’s hands? People do it to applaud a performance given by a great singer or musician. People applaud by clapping the hands at sporting events. People do it to show appreciation at the entrance of some notable figure. There is random clapping and rhythmic clapping. But why clap one’s hands? Is there no better way? Apparently, the clapping of the hands has been a way for God’s people to celebrate in the presence of the Lord for many generations.
The reason for the clapping in this Psalm is the coronation of the great king. “It has been classified as an enthronement psalm, celebrating His universal reign. It should be understood as prophetically portraying the coming kingdom of God, manifestations of which were enjoyed by Israel. The psalmist called on all peoples of the earth to pay homage to Christ, the holy Monarch—the Lord—as He assumes His kingship over them all.” (BKC) And so we shall with joy unspeakable and full of glory. We did so when He became enthroned in our hearts and we will do so again when we see Him face to face, the King of kings.
Not only are we to clap our hands in applause to the King of kings but we are to shout to the Lord with the voice of triumph, because when He is seated on His throne and all of His enemies will have been vanquished and because all that is under His feet will be under our feet.
One does not hesitate to stand and applaud when the queen of England enters the room so why should we not, and more so, stand and applaud when our Lord makes His presence, known through the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Until we find a better way to applaud the King of kings then let us go ahead and clap our hands and shout our hallelujah’s to the Lord our Savior with the voice of triumph. He is totally worthy. Amen, amen and amen.
