Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 47:1

"Oh clap your hands, all ye peoples; Shout unto God with the voice of triumph." — Psalms 47:1 (ASV)

Of triumph. —Or, of exultation, as the Septuagint and Vulgate. For the hand-clapping at a time of national rejoicing, such as the coronation of a king, see 2 Kings 11:12 ; and for the “shout,” compare to Numbers 23:21, the shout of a king; and 1 Samuel 10:24. With the Hebrews, as with our own English forefathers, this sign of popular assent,

“In full acclaim,
A people’s voice,
The proof and echo of all human fame,”

played a large and important part.