1 Praise H1984 ye the LORD: H3050 for it is good H2896 to sing praises H2167 unto our God; H430 for it is pleasant; H5273 and praise H8416 is comely. H5000
2 The LORD H3068 doth build up H1129 Jerusalem: H3389 he gathereth together H3664 the outcasts H1760 of Israel. H3478
3 He healeth H7495 the broken H7665 in heart, H3820 and bindeth up H2280 their wounds. H6094
4 He telleth H4487 the number H4557 of the stars; H3556 he calleth H7121 them all by their names. H8034
5 Great H1419 is our Lord, H113 and of great H7227 power: H3581 his understanding H8394 is infinite. H4557
6 The LORD H3068 lifteth up H5749 the meek: H6035 he casteth H8213 the wicked H7563 down H8213 to the ground. H776
7 Sing H6030 unto the LORD H3068 with thanksgiving; H8426 sing praise H2167 upon the harp H3658 unto our God: H430
8 Who covereth H3680 the heaven H8064 with clouds, H5645 who prepareth H3559 rain H4306 for the earth, H776 who maketh grass H2682 to grow H6779 upon the mountains. H2022
9 He giveth H5414 to the beast H929 his food, H3899 and to the young H1121 ravens H6158 which cry. H7121
10 He delighteth H2654 not in the strength H1369 of the horse: H5483 he taketh not pleasure H7521 in the legs H7785 of a man. H376
11 The LORD H3068 taketh pleasure H7521 in them that fear H3373 him, in those that hope H3176 in his mercy. H2617
12 Praise H7623 the LORD, H3068 O Jerusalem; H3389 praise H1984 thy God, H430 O Zion. H6726
13 For he hath strengthened H2388 the bars H1280 of thy gates; H8179 he hath blessed H1288 thy children H1121 within H7130 thee.
14 He maketh H7760 peace H7965 in thy borders, H1366 and filleth H7646 thee with the finest H2459 of the wheat. H2406
15 He sendeth forth H7971 his commandment H565 upon earth: H776 his word H1697 runneth H7323 very swiftly. H4120
16 He giveth H5414 snow H7950 like wool: H6785 he scattereth H6340 the hoarfrost H3713 like ashes. H665
17 He casteth forth H7993 his ice H7140 like morsels: H6595 who can stand H5975 before H6440 his cold? H7135
18 He sendeth out H7971 his word, H1697 and melteth H4529 them: he causeth his wind H7307 to blow, H5380 and the waters H4325 flow. H5140
19 He sheweth H5046 his word H1697 H1697 unto Jacob, H3290 his statutes H2706 and his judgments H4941 unto Israel. H3478
20 He hath not dealt H6213 so with any nation: H1471 and as for his judgments, H4941 they have not known H3045 them. Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050
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.