1 Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
2 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
3 He subdued peoples under us, and nations under our feet.
4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah
Psalms 47:1-4

Our study brings us to verse 4 today. And it is a most powerful statement of fact. A statement that is profound and glorious. There is much comfort in understanding this statement:

"4 He chose our heritage for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves."

This statement is a part of the opening praise. It is a continued description of why we are to praise the Almighty, Powerful, Sovereign, Supreme Ruler of the Universe. We are to "clap our hands" and "shout for joy" because He is the Most High God! We are to praise the Lord because he "subdued our enemies." And we are to rejoice in His holy name because "He chose our heritage for us."

There is not a clearer, more precise statement regarding Predestination and Sovereign Election in the whole of the Bible. It is clear that "before the foundations of the world" (Ephesians 1:3-5) "He chose our heritage for us."

For some reason, this is a highly disputed and misunderstood doctrine. It is a statement of fact, which is highly called into question in the Christian world. To believe in Predestination and Sovereign Election is to be known as some sort of a "high church" and "non-compassionate" and "judgmental" "holier-than-thou" Christian. But we must understand the assurance that is found in these words and in this doctrine.

"He chose our heritage for us" -- Throughout the entire Bible, this statement is emphasized and held in high regard. This doctrine is celebrated by the believer and used in a glorious and most assured context. Not only did God choose a people BY Himself, but He chose a people FOR Himself.

"6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples,
8 but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).

For the believer to claim that He was "chosen by God" is not a prideful statement. It is a statement of humility. It is understanding that there was absolutely nothing he was capable of doing in order to earn this salvation. He was truly a "chosen people" by God Himself. Christian, take assurance in this fact that you were "chosen by God" from before the foundations of the world.

"... the pride of Jacob whom He loves." -- This is a description of our "heritage." The statement, "Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated," should come to your mind. This is the point that is being made here.

God has chosen a people for Himself and has poured out His special love for us. This does not conflict with the understanding of the Abrahamic Covenant that "all nations will be blessed." Instead, it is a supporting statement because there are most certainly believers all over the world who have come to faith. Praise His name!

None of this understanding conflicts with man's responsibility to repent and put his faith in Jesus Christ alone. In fact, after Justification, it is clear to understand God's Sovereign election for a sinner who is damned for all of eternity. To wrap your mind around Predestination and Election, you must fully comprehend Total Depravity. After all, how can a dead man do anything at all? If we are "dead in our trespasses and sins" who "fall short of the glory of God," then how can we do ANYTHING to please God? The answer is that we can't please God in our sin. He is Holy and we are dead. The only thing a dead man can do is stink... and that describes our life before Christ better than anything.

The doctrine of Predestination and Election does not negate the term "whosoever." For if you are sitting there reading these words today and God has grabbed your heart and convicted you of your sin, then the gates of Paradise are opening for you right now! Repent and believe!! The Gospel offering is for ALL who believe!! WHOEVER believes in the name of the Lord WILL be saved!

Predestination and Election are not man-made doctrines. This understanding comes right out of God's mouth. You cannot read through the Bible and neglect this doctrine without forcing yourself to deny other key texts. This doctrine is NOT a secondary issue. This doctrine is a primary issue because it has EVERYTHING to do with Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria.

The opening praise of Psalm 47 ends with this key word, which is beautiful...

"Selah" -- This word means to sit and meditate on what you just heard. It means to ponder the words of God. It means to consider the glory of the words of God.

And that is what the Word of God calls us to do now that we have studied this opening stanza of this Psalm. Consider the saving power of God. Consider His glory and His majesty! Consider that He is the Most High God who has subdued all of His enemies. And meditate on the fact that He chose a people BY Himself and FOR Himself before the foundations of the world.

Praise His Holy Name!