Excellent. Here is Psalm 46 (Vulgate numbering; English Psalm 47) in your established study format, complete with introduction, full text with literal translation and notes, exercises, and final comments.
1. Introduction
This psalm is a hymn of universal praise celebrating God’s kingship over all nations.
It is short, jubilant, and liturgical — likely sung at a royal enthronement or victory procession.
In Christian interpretation, it prefigures the Ascension of Christ, when divine rule is proclaimed over all the earth.
Tone: Exultant, royal, triumphant.
Themes:
- God’s kingship over the world
- Joyful worship
- The unity of nations under divine sovereignty
Structure:
- Call to all peoples to rejoice (vv. 1–3)
- Proclamation of God’s reign (vv. 4–6)
- Worship and exaltation (vv. 7–10)
2. Text and Study Format
Verse 1
Latin:
Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus; iubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.
Literal English:
All nations, clap your hands; shout to God with the voice of rejoicing.
Word Notes:
- omnis, omne — all, every.
- gens, gentis (f.) — nation, people.
- plaudo, plaudere, plausi, plausum — clap, applaud.
- manus, manus (f.) — hand.
- iubilo, iubilare, iubilavi, iubilatum — shout for joy.
- exsultatio, exsultationis (f.) — exultation, rejoicing.
Verse 2
Latin:
Quoniam Dominus excelsus, terribilis, rex magnus super omnem terram.
Literal English:
For the Lord most high is awesome, a great King over all the earth.
Word Notes:
- excelsus, -a, -um — exalted, most high.
- terribilis, terribile — fearsome, awe-inspiring.
- rex, regis (m.) — king.
- super omnem terram—over all the earth.
Verse 3
Latin:
Subject populos nobis, et gentes sub pedibus nostris.
Literal English:
He has subdued peoples under us and nations beneath our feet.
Word Notes:
- subicio, subicere, subieci, subiectum — subject, subdue.
- populus, populi (m.) — people.
- gens, gentis (f.) — nation.
- pes, pedis (m.) — foot.
Verse 4
Latin:
Elegit nobis hereditatem suam, speciem Iacob quam dilexit.
Literal English:
He has chosen for us his inheritance, the beauty of Jacob whom he loved.
Word Notes:
- eligo, eligere, elegi, electum — choose.
- hereditas, hereditatis (f.) — inheritance.
- species, speciei (f.) — beauty, splendour, form.
- diligo, diligere, dilexi, dilectum — love, esteem.
Verse 5
Latin:
Ascendit Deus in iubilo, et Dominus in voce tubae.
Literal English:
God has ascended with jubilation, the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.
Word Notes:
- ascendo, ascendere, ascendi, ascensum — go up, ascend.
- iubilo, iubilationis (f.) — shout of joy.
- tuba, tubae (f.) — trumpet.
(Traditionally interpreted by Christians as the Ascension of Christ.)
Verse 6
Latin:
Psallite Deo nostro, psallite; psallite regi nostro, psallite.
Literal English:
Sing praises to our God, sing; sing praises to our King, sing.
Word Notes:
- psallo, psallere, psalli, psalitum — play or sing psalms.
- The repetition is liturgical — an emphatic call to praise.
Verse 7
Latin:
Quoniam rex omnis terrae Deus; psallite sapienter.
Literal English:
For God is King of all the earth; sing ye wisely.
Word Notes:
- sapienter — wisely, with understanding; implies thoughtful worship.
Verse 8
Latin:
Regnabit Deus super gentes; Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.
Literal English:
God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
Word Notes:
- regno, regnare, regnavi, regnatum — reign, rule.
- sedeo, sedere, sedi, sessum — sit.
- sedes, sedis (f.) — seat, throne.
- sanctus, -a, -um — holy.
Verse 9
Latin:
Principes populorum congregati sunt cum Deo Abraham, quoniam dii fortes terrae vehementer elevati sunt.
Literal English:
The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the God of Abraham, for the strong gods (or mighty ones) of the earth are greatly exalted.
Word Notes:
- princeps, principis (m.) — ruler, leader.
- congrego, congregare — gather together.
- vehementer — greatly, strongly.
- elevatus, -a, -um — lifted up, exalted.
- The closing phrase may also mean “the shields of the earth belong to God” (depending on the textual variant: scuta terrae).
3. Exercises
1️⃣ Translation:
Translate verses 5–6 from English to Latin:
“God has ascended with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.”
2️⃣ Grammar Practice:
- Identify all imperatives (commands) in the psalm.
- Parse ascendit, psallite, and subiecit.
- Explain the dative in Deo nostro (indirect object of praise).
3️⃣ Composition:
Write two short Latin sentences using rex, psallere, and ascendere.
4️⃣ Vocabulary Matching:
(a) plaudo —
(b) hereditas —
(c) tuba —
(d) sedes —
(e) sapienter —
4. Final Comments
Psalm 46 (47) is a psalm of victory and universality — its joy bursts forth in clapping, trumpets, and song.
The psalmist envisions all nations united under one divine ruler: Rex magnus super omnem terram.
In Christian tradition it foreshadows the Ascension of Christ, when humanity’s King is exalted to His throne:
Ascendit Deus in iubilo, et Dominus in voce tubae.
Its refrain, ‘psallite Deo nostro, psallite’, has inspired countless choral and organ settings, from Gregorian chant to Bach.
The closing verse declares a universal faith — all peoples and rulers, gathered to the God of Abraham, recognising one sovereign power above all others.