1 Give praise to the Lord; for it is good to make melody to our God; praise is pleasing and beautiful.
2 The Lord is building up Jerusalem; he makes all the outlaws of Israel come together.
3 He makes the broken-hearted well, and puts oil on their wounds.
4 He sees the number of the stars; he gives them all their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and great his power; there is no limit to his wisdom.
6 The Lord gives help to the poor in spirit; but he sends sinners down in shame.
7 Make songs of praise to the Lord; make melody to our God with instruments of music.
8 By his hand the heaven is covered with clouds and rain is stored up for the earth; he makes the grass tall on the mountains.
9 He gives food to every beast, and to the young ravens in answer to their cry.
10 He has no delight in the strength of a horse; he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord takes pleasure in his worshippers, and in those whose hope is in his mercy.
12 Give praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem; give praise to your God, O Zion.
13 He has made strong the iron bands of your doors; he has sent blessings on your children inside your walls.
14 He gives peace in all your land, making your stores full of fat grain.
15 He sends out his orders to the earth; his word goes out quickly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he sends out ice-drops like dust.
17 He sends down ice like raindrops: water is made hard by his cold.
18 At the outgoing of his word, the ice is turned to water; when he sends out his wind, there is a flowing of waters.
19 He makes his word clear to Jacob, teaching Israel his laws and his decisions.
20 He has not done these things for any other nation: and as for his laws, they have no knowledge of them. Let the Lord be praised.
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.