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Would you like the better translation for those passages in that pathetic modernistic translation you are using?

There are numerous translations that use the word "awesome" including the New King James Version (1980) as well as the New International Version (1984) and the World English Bible. The Hebrew word is yare' and in the Strong's Concordance means:

a) (Qal)

1) to fear, be afraid

2) to stand in awe of, be awed

3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect

b) (Niphal)

1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared

2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe

3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe

c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify

Barnes' Notes on the Bible describes Psalm 47:2 and its use of the word as:

"Is terrible - literally, is to be feared; that is, reverenced and adored. There is an idea in the words "terrible" and "terror" which is not contained in the original, as if there were something harsh, severe, stern, in his character. The word in the original does not go beyond the notion of inspiring reverence or awe, and is the common word by which the worship of God is designated in the Scriptures. The meaning is, that he is worthy of profound reverence or adoration."

Now, I agree that the word "awesome" is so overused it has almost become a joke, "Dude, that wave was awesome!!!", but the way Almighty God is described as having attributes or his ways that are "awesome", does not in any way take away from the intent of the Holy Spirit's message. I resent the way so many words today have been confiscated and almost copyrighted so that people hestitate to use them. Words like "choice", "equality", "radical" and, yes, "awesome". But the word DOES fit when we use it to express the nature of our God because he IS to be feared, to stand in awe of, to reverence and respect.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says about Psalm 47:2:

The God with whom we have to do, is a God of awful majesty. The universal and absolute sovereignty of a holy God would be too terrible for us even to think of, were it not exercised by his Son from a mercy-seat; but now it is only terrible to the workers of iniquity. While his people express confidence and joy, and animate each other in serving him, let sinners submit to his authority, and accept his salvation.

Lighten up, dude. :o)