One thing that flows through the Old Testament covenants is the mission of Israel to be “missionaries” to the nations- that is, they were to live in such a way that they make יהוה known. Yet, we also see that there was a definite failure of this mission at times, so that when it was actually accomplished it seems to be an exception rather than the rule. The book of Jonah is probably the best known example of this reluctancy. So when I read Psalm 47.8-9
, I can help but wonder what goes through the mind of an ancient Israelite who sang and celebrated the Psalter. Perhaps it is much like the way most Christians sing today? Vapid regurgitation of songs as “worship?” Here’s the Psalm:
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble
as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
Not only are the nations pictured as God’s people, they are linked to covenant through God’s title “God of Abraham,” one of the ways that God talks about himself in order to remind the Jewish people of the covenant.
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