Psalm 147
1Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him. 2Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. 4He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names. 5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. 6Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground. 7Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains. 9He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call. 10He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness. 12Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion! 13For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you. 14He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat. 15He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. 16He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. 17He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold? 18He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise Yah!
Introduction
Psalms 147
This is another psalm of praise. Some think it was penned after the return of the Jews from their captivity; but it is so much of a piece with Ps. 145 that I rather think it was penned by David, and what is said (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13) may well enough be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in his time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul's time. The Septuagint divides it into two; and we may divide it into the first and second part, but both of the same import. I. We are called upon to praise God (Psa 147:1, Psa 147:7, Psa 147:12). II. We are furnished with matter for praise, for God is to be glorified, 1. As the God of nature, and so he is very great (Psa 147:4, Psa 147:5, Psa 147:8, Psa 147:9, Psa 147:15-18). 2. As the God of grace, comforting his people (Psa 147:3, Psa 147:6, Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11). 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, settling their civil state (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13, Psa 147:14), and especially settling religion among them (Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20). It is easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it to ourselves, both as to personal and national mercies, were it but as easy to do so with suitable affections.
Cross-references: Ps 147:2 · Ps 147:13 · Ps 147:1 · Ps 147:7 · Ps 147:12 · Ps 147:4 · Ps 147:5 · Ps 147:8 · Ps 147:9 · Ps 147:15 · Ps 147:3 · Ps 147:6 · Ps 147:10 · Ps 147:11 · Ps 147:14 · Ps 147:19 · Ps 147:20