Psalm 47:3

3 He made peoples subject to us; and heathen men under our feet. (He made the peoples subject to us; and put the heathen under our feet.)

Psalm 47:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 47:3

He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our
feet.
] As Joshua, his type, subdued the Canaanites; and as David, another type of subdued the Syrians, Moabites, and others: the Jews from these words expect, that, in the times of the Messiah they look for, the Gentiles in a literal sense will be subdued by him, and become subject to them; but these, and all other expressions of the like kind, are to be understood in a spiritual sense; such as ( Isaiah 49:23 ) ( Isaiah 60:10 Isaiah 60:12 Isaiah 60:14 ) ; and which will have their accomplishment in the latter day, in the subjection of the Gentiles to the word and ordinances of the Gospel administered in his churches: though the passage here refers to the times following the ascension of Christ to heaven, when he went forth in the ministry of his apostles conquering and to conquer; and which he made use of to cause the people to fall under him, and to be willing to be saved by him; to submit to his righteousness, and to his ordinances, the sceptre of his kingdom; and which was causing them to triumph, and subduing the people under them, who through the Gospel preached by them became obedient by word and deed; and which was an occasion of joy even to the conquered ones.

Psalm 47:3 In-Context

1 To victory, a psalm to the sons of Korah. All ye folks, make joy with hands; sing ye heartily to God in the voice of full out joying. (To victory, a song for the sons of Korah. All ye nations, make joy with your hands/clap with your hands; sing ye heartily to God with a joyful voice.)

2 For the Lord is high and fearedful; a great king on all earth. (For the Most High Lord is to be feared/For the Most High Lord is to be revered; a great King over all the earth.)

3 He made peoples subject to us; and heathen men under our feet. (He made the peoples subject to us; and put the heathen under our feet.)

4 He chose his heritage to us; the fairness of Jacob, whom he loved. (He chose our inheritance for us; for we who be the beauty of Jacob, whom he loved.)

5 God ascended in hearty song; and the Lord in the voice of a trump. (God ascended with a hearty song; the Lord went up with the sound of trumpets.)