1 Praise ye Jah! For `it is' good to praise our God, For pleasant -- comely `is' praise.
2 Building Jerusalem `is' Jehovah, The driven away of Israel He gathereth.
3 Who is giving healing to the broken of heart, And is binding up their griefs.
4 Appointing the number of the stars, To all them He giveth names.
5 Great `is' our Lord, and abundant in power, Of His understanding there is no narration.
6 Jehovah is causing the meek to stand, Making low the wicked unto the earth.
7 Answer ye to Jehovah with thanksgiving, Sing ye to our God with a harp.
8 Who is covering the heavens with clouds, Who is preparing for the earth rain, Who is causing grass to spring up `on' mountains,
9 Giving to the beast its food, To the young of the ravens that call.
10 Not in the might of the horse doth He delight, Not in the legs of a man is He pleased.
11 Jehovah is pleased with those fearing Him, With those waiting for His kindness.
12 Glorify, O Jerusalem, Jehovah, Praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For He did strengthen the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons in thy midst.
14 Who is making thy border peace, `With' the fat of wheat He satisfieth Thee.
15 Who is sending forth His saying `on' earth, Very speedily doth His word run.
16 Who is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth.
17 Casting forth His ice like morsels, Before His cold who doth stand?
18 He sendeth forth His word and melteth them, He causeth His wind to blow -- the waters flow.
19 Declaring His words to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
20 He hath not done so to any nation, As to judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye Jah!
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.