◄ Psalm 47:4 ►
He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loves. Selah
Study Bible
He chooses
The phrase "He chooses" emphasizes the sovereignty and divine will of God. In the Hebrew text, the word used is "בָּחַר" (bachar), which means to select or elect. This choice is not random but is a deliberate act of God's will, reflecting His authority and purpose. Throughout the Bible, God's choosing is a recurring theme, illustrating His active role in guiding history and His people. This divine selection is a source of comfort and assurance for believers, knowing that God is actively involved in their lives and has a plan for them.

our inheritance
The term "our inheritance" refers to the blessings and promises that God has set aside for His people. In the Hebrew context, "נַחֲלָה" (nachalah) is often used to describe the land allotted to the tribes of Israel, symbolizing God's provision and faithfulness. Spiritually, it extends beyond physical land to encompass the spiritual blessings and eternal life promised to believers. This inheritance is a testament to God's covenant with His people, assuring them of His enduring commitment and the richness of His grace.

for us
The phrase "for us" personalizes the promise, indicating that God's actions are directed towards His people. It underscores the relational aspect of God's covenant, highlighting that His blessings and choices are made with His people's welfare in mind. This personal touch reassures believers of their special place in God's plan and His intimate involvement in their lives.

the pride of Jacob
"The pride of Jacob" refers to the honor and glory associated with the descendants of Jacob, the patriarch of the Israelites. In Hebrew, "גָּאוֹן" (ga'on) can mean majesty or excellence. This phrase signifies the esteemed position that God has granted to His people, not because of their own merit, but because of His covenantal promises. It serves as a reminder of the identity and dignity bestowed upon them by God, encouraging them to live in a manner worthy of their calling.

whom He loves
The phrase "whom He loves" highlights the deep, covenantal love that God has for His people. The Hebrew word "אָהֵב" (aheb) conveys a sense of affection and commitment. This love is unconditional and steadfast, forming the foundation of God's relationship with His people. It is a love that motivates His actions and choices, providing believers with the assurance of His unwavering care and faithfulness. This divine love is central to the Christian faith, reflecting the heart of God towards humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The sovereign chooser of our inheritance, demonstrating His authority and love.

2. Jacob
Represents the nation of Israel, chosen by God as His special people.

3. Inheritance
Symbolizes the blessings and promises given by God to His people.

4. Selah
A term used in the Psalms, possibly indicating a pause for reflection or emphasis on the preceding statement.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Choosing
God is the ultimate authority in determining our inheritance, both spiritually and materially. Trust in His perfect will and timing.

The Pride of Jacob
Reflect on the special relationship God had with Israel and how it extends to all believers through Christ. We are part of a chosen people, loved by God.

Inheritance Beyond Material
While the Old Testament often speaks of land and physical blessings, our inheritance in Christ is spiritual and eternal. Focus on the eternal promises rather than temporary gains.

Reflective Pause (Selah)
Take time to meditate on God's love and the inheritance He has prepared for us. Use moments of reflection to deepen your understanding and appreciation of His blessings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's sovereignty in choosing our inheritance affect your daily trust in Him?

2. In what ways can you see the "pride of Jacob" reflected in your own life as a believer?

3. How does the concept of inheritance in the Old Testament connect to the promises we have in Christ today?

4. What are some practical ways you can focus on your spiritual inheritance rather than material possessions?

5. How can you incorporate moments of "Selah" into your daily routine to reflect on God's love and promises?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 28:13-15
God's promise to Jacob about the land and his descendants, illustrating the concept of inheritance.

Ephesians 1:11
Speaks of believers receiving an inheritance in Christ, connecting the Old Testament promise to New Testament fulfillment.

Deuteronomy 32:9
Describes Israel as God's portion, reinforcing the idea of a chosen inheritance.

Romans 8:17
Believers are co-heirs with Christ, expanding the concept of inheritance to include all who are in Christ.
Sermons
A Wise DesirePsalm 47:4
A Wise DesireCharles Haddon Spurgeon Psalm 47:4
Christian ResignationJ. Crouther.Psalm 47:4
God's Conduct of Our AffairsRobert Hall, A. M.Psalm 47:4
He Shall Choose Our Inheritance for UsE. Paxton Hood.Psalm 47:4
Submission to Divine AppointmentEvangelical PreacherPsalm 47:4
The Providence of GodJob Orion, D. D.Psalm 47:4
A Song for All the Peoples!C. Clemance Psalm 47:1-9
Messianic Triumph PredictedA. Maclaren, D. D.Psalm 47:1-9
The Praiseworthy and the Faultworthy in WorshipHomilistPsalm 47:1-9
The Universal KingW. Forsyth Psalm 47:1-9
The Universal Sovereignty of GodC. Short Psalm 47:1-9
People
Jacob, Korah, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Choose, Chooses, Chooseth, Chose, Chosen, Dear, Excellence, Excellency, Glory, Heritage, Inheritance, Jacob, Loved, Loves, Loveth, Pride, Selah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 47:4

     8666   praise, manner and methods

Library
A Wise Desire
I remember once going to a chapel where this happened to be the text, and the good man who occupied the pulpit was more than a little of an Arminian. Therefore, when he commenced, he said, "This passage refers entirely to our temporal inheritance. It has nothing whatever to do with our everlasting destiny: for," said he, "We do not want Christ to choose for us in the matter of heaven or hell. It is so plain and easy that every man who has a grain of common sense will choose heaven; and any person …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Tenth Sunday after Trinity. As the Hart Panteth after the Water Brooks, Even So Panteth My Soul after Thee, O God.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, even so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. Nach dir, o Gott verlanget mich [107]Anton Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick. 1667. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1855 O God, I long Thy Light to see, My God, I hourly think on Thee; Oh draw me up, nor hide Thy face, But help me from Thy holy place. As toward her sun the sunflower turns, Towards Thee, my Sun my spirit yearns; Oh would that free from sin I might Thus follow evermore Thy Light! But sin hath so within …
Catherine Winkworth—Lyra Germanica: The Christian Year

The Work of Christ.
The great work which the Lord Jesus Christ, God's well beloved Son, came to do was to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. This finished work of the cross is the basis of His present work and His future work. What mind can estimate the value and preciousness of that work in which the Holy One offered Himself through the eternal Spirit without spot unto God! He procured redemption by His death on the cross. In His present work and much more in the future work, He works out this great redemption …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ

Question of the Comparison Between the Active and the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? Cardinal Cajetan, On Preparation for the Contemplative Life S. Augustine, Confessions, X., xliii. 70 " On Psalm xxvi. II. Is the Active Life more Meritorious than the Contemplative? III. Is the Active Life a Hindrance to the Contemplative Life? Cardinal Cajetan, On the True Interior Life S. Augustine, Sermon, CCLVI., v. 6 IV. Does the Active Life precede the Contemplative? I Is the Active Life preferable to the Contemplative? The Lord …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

The Joy of the Lord.
IT is written "the joy of the Lord is your strength." Every child of God knows in some measure what it is to rejoice in the Lord. The Lord Jesus Christ must ever be the sole object of the believer's joy, and as eyes and heart look upon Him, we, too, like "the strangers scattered abroad" to whom Peter wrote shall "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. i:8). But it is upon our heart to meditate with our beloved readers on the joy of our adorable Lord, as his own personal joy. The …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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