Our God Reigns
For the LORD Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47:2
Earthbound people often have difficulty grasping that an unseen God reigns over all—from the budding of a flower to the brutality of a dictator.
Psalm 47 is a hymn of praise to that God, who is “King over all the earth” (v. 2). The Hebrew phrase is Jehovah-Elyon, often translated
LORD Most High. First used in Genesis 14:22 when Abraham spoke to Melchizedek, LORD Most High exalts the God of Abraham and his descendants to the most high place—king of all nations. Therefore, it also speaks of the culmination of God’s plan for the ages: the exaltation of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:16).
So why should the name Jehovah-Elyon be precious to us? How does its truth impact our daily lives? It is the name to which we cling when families crumble, when nations war, and when inexplicable violence pierces our soul. God still reigns. God reigns high above all. That which devastates us cannot dethrone him. That which dismays us cannot disquiet him.
The Bible doesn’t tell us what prompted the writer of Psalm 47 to encourage his listeners to “shout to God with cries of joy” as they envisioned the day he will establish justice and peace worldwide (vv. 1-3). But we do know the circumstances that surrounded Abraham when he first used the name Jehovah-Elyon. He was a sojourner in a land God promised to give him. He had just finished rescuing his nephew Lot from an enemy army. Abraham lived in turbulent times. So he looked to Jehovah-Elyon and drew strength from the God who reigns over all (Genesis 14:1-15:6).
What circumstances have cast your world into disarray? Look away from the chaos and focus on the eternal. God reigns over all: job loss and illness, heartache and homelessness, violence and hatred.
God will subdue all enemies under our feet (v. 3). He has chosen a glorious inheritance for us (v. 4). He is seated on his holy throne. Sing to Jehovah-Elyon a hymn of praise (v. 7).
How can you show others his worthiness to be praised?
DIG DEEPER
Read Exodus 9:13-16, Ezra 6:21-22, and Proverbs 21:1. How can the truths reflected in these verses calm and encourage you in times of personal or political upheaval?
Although Psalm 47:4 refers to the land as Israel’s inheritance, what inheritance has God given us according to Ephesians 1:3-14?
In Psalm 2, what does God say to “kings” who refuse to accept his authority and the rule of his “anointed one”? Who will receive a blessing according to verse 12? Are you part of that group?
Denise K. Loock
This devotion is part of a series on the Names of God.