1 Praise ye Jehovah; For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant, `and' praise is comely.
2 Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem; He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds.
4 He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by `their' names.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
6 Jehovah upholdeth the meek: He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto Jehovah with thanksgiving; Sing praises upon the harp unto our God,
8 Who covereth the heavens with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, `And' to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 Jehovah taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his lovingkindness.
12 Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders; He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth out his commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: Who can stand before his cold?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19 He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye Jehovah.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 147
Commentary on Psalms 147 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 147
Ps 147:1-20. This and the remaining Psalms have been represented as specially designed to celebrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem (compare Ne 6:16; 12:27). They all open and close with the stirring call for praise. This one specially declares God's providential care towards all creatures, and particularly His people.
1. (Compare Ps 92:1; 135:3).
2. (Compare Ps 107:3; Isa 11:12).
3. Though applicable to the captive Israelites, this is a general and precious truth.
wounds—(Compare Margin).
4, 5. God's power in nature (Isa 40:26-28, and often) is presented as a pledge of His power to help His people.
telleth … stars—what no man can do (Ge 15:5).
6. That power is put forth for the good of the meek and suffering pious, and confusion of the wicked (Ps 146:8, 9).
7-9. His providence supplies bountifully the wild animals in their mountain homes.
Sing … Lord—literally, "Answer the Lord," that is, in grateful praise to His goodness, thus declared in His acts.
10, 11. The advantages afforded, as in war by the strength of the horse or the agility of man, do not incline God to favor any; but those who fear and, of course, trust Him, will obtain His approbation and aid.
13. strengthened … gates—or, means of defense against invaders,
14. maketh … borders—or, territories (Ge 23:17; Isa 54:12).
filleth thee, &c.—(Compare Margin).
15-18. God's Word, as a swift messenger, executes His purpose, for with Him to command is to perform (Ge 1:3; Ps 33:9), and He brings about the wonders of providence as easily as men cast crumbs.
17. morsels—used as to food (Ge 18:5), perhaps here denotes hail.
19, 20. This mighty ruler and benefactor of heaven and earth is such especially to His chosen people, to whom alone (De 4:32-34) He has made known His will, while others have been left in darkness. Therefore unite in the great hallelujah.