Psalms147

Psalm 147 is a fervent call to praise the LORD, acknowledging His goodness and the comeliness of worship. It extols God's infinite power and understanding, seen in His healing of the brokenhearted, His control over creation, and His specific care for Israel. The psalm concludes by highlighting God's unique revelation of His word and statutes to Jacob, distinguishing Israel above all other nations.
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Call to Praise the Compassionate God

1
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely. ​
2
The LORD 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 telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. ​
5
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6
The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

Praise for God's Provision in Nature

7
Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8
Who covereth the heaven 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 not pleasure in the legs of a man. ​
11
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. ​

Zion Praises God for Security and Law

12
Praise the LORD, 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, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. ​
15
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. ​
16
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost 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 sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. ​
20
He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 147

Verse 1

This psalm, likely composed during the post-exilic period, begins with the customary Hallelujah, emphasizing that praising God is inherently good and fitting for the community.

Verse 2

This verse reflects the historical reality of the return from Babylonian exile, where God is seen as the architect rebuilding the city of Jerusalem and gathering the dispersed Jewish people.

Verse 3

The healing mentioned here moves beyond physical health to encompass the emotional and spiritual restoration necessary after national trauma and exile; God is the ultimate healer of the brokenhearted.

Verse 4

By describing God as naming the countless stars, the Psalmist emphasizes God's infinite knowledge and majestic control over the cosmos, contrasting this with His intimate care for humanity (v. 3).

Verse 8

This transitions the praise from God's work in history (v. 2) to His ongoing work in creation, highlighting His control over essential elements like clouds, rain, and vegetation needed for life.

Verse 9

God’s comprehensive provision extends even to wild animals, specifically mentioning the seemingly vulnerable young ravens, underscoring the universality of divine care.

Verse 10

This is a theological corrective: God’s favor is not secured by military might (strength of the horse or legs of a man), rejecting reliance on earthly power sources common in the ancient Near East.

Verse 11

God delights in humility and trust, favoring those who acknowledge their reliance on His steadfast love (*hesed*) rather than those who depend on self-strength.

Verse 12

The focus shifts specifically to the city of Jerusalem (Zion), calling upon the restored community to acknowledge the blessings they have received.

Verse 14

Peace (*shalom*) in the borders and abundant grain symbolize complete security and economic prosperity, the hallmarks of God’s covenantal blessing.

Verse 15

God's 'commandment' or 'word' (*davar*) is personified as an active agent, demonstrating the immediate and irresistible power of divine will over creation.

Verse 18

This verse highlights the immediacy of God’s control: just as quickly as He sends the freezing elements (v. 16-17), His spoken word reverses them, causing thaw and flow.

Verse 19

The ultimate distinction and blessing for Israel is the unique revelation of God's Law (Torah), which provides moral guidance and knowledge unavailable to other nations.

Verse 20

This verse concludes the psalm by stressing the uniqueness of Israel's relationship with God, defined by the covenant and the exclusive gift of His statutes, warranting the final call to praise.

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