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Commentary on Psalms 147 verses 12–20
Jerusalem, and Zion, the holy city, the holy hill, are here called upon to praise God, Psa 147:12. For where should praise be offered up to God but where his altar is? Where may we expect that glory should be given to him but in the beauty of holiness? Let the inhabitants of Jerusalem praise the Lord in their own houses; let the priests and Levites, who attend in Zion, the city of their solemnities, in a special manner praise the Lord. They have more cause to do it than others, and they lie under greater obligations to do it than others; for it is their business, it is their profession. "Praise thy God, O Zion! he is thine, and therefore thou art bound to praise him; his being thine includes all happiness, so that thou canst never want matter for praise." Jerusalem and Zion must praise God,
I. For the prosperity and flourishing state of their civil interests, Psa 147:13, Psa 147:14. 1. For their common safety. They had gates, and kept their gates barred in times of danger; but that would not have been an effectual security to them if God had not strengthened the bars of their gates and fortified their fortifications. The most probable means we can devise for our own preservation will not answer the end, unless God give his blessing with them; we must therefore in the careful and diligent use of those means, depend upon him for that blessing, and attribute the undisturbed repose of our land more to the wall of fire than to the wall of water round about us, Zac 2:5. 2. For the increase of their people. This strengthens the bars of the gates as much as any thing: He hath blessed thy children within thee, with that first and great blessing, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the land. It is a comfort to parents to see their children blessed of the Lord (Isa 61:9), and a comfort to the generation that is going off to see the rising generation numerous and hopeful, for which blessing God must be blessed. 3. For the public tranquillity, that they were delivered from the terrors and desolations of war: He makes peace in thy borders, by putting an end to the wars that were, and preventing the wars that were threatened and feared. He makes peace within thy borders, that is, in all parts of the country, by composing differences among neighbours, that there may be no intestine broils and animosities, and upon thy borders, that they may not be attacked by invasions from abroad. If there be trouble any where, it is in the borders, the marches of a country; the frontier-towns lie most exposed, so that, if there be peace in the borders, there is a universal peace, a mercy we can never be sufficiently thankful for. 4. For great plenty, the common effect of peace: He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat - wheat, the most valuable grain, the fat, the finest of that, and a fulness thereof. What would they more? Canaan abounded with the best wheat (Deu 32:14) and exported it to the countries abroad, as appears, Eze 27:17. The land of Israel was not enriched with precious stones nor spices, but with the finest of the wheat, with bread, which strengthens man's heart. This made it the glory of all lands, and for this God was praised in Zion.
II. For the wonderful instances of his power in the weather, particularly the winter-weather. He that protects Zion and Jerusalem is that God of power from whom all the powers of nature are derived and on whom they depend, and who produces all the changes of the seasons, which, if they were not common, would astonish us.
1.In general, whatever alterations there are in this lower world (and it is that world that is subject to continual changes) they are produced by the will, and power, and providence of God (Psa 147:15): He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, as one that has an incontestable authority to give orders, and innumerable attendants ready to carry his orders and put them in execution. As the world was at first made, so it is still upheld and governed, by a word of almighty power. God speaks and it is done, for all are his servants. That word takes effect, not only surely, but speedily. His word runneth very swiftly, for nothing can oppose or retard it. As the lightning, which passes through the air in an instant, such is the word of God's providence, and such the word of his grace, when it is sent forth with commission, Luk 17:24. Angels, who carry his word and fulfil it, fly swiftly, Dan 9:21.
2.In particular, frosts and thaws are both of them wonderful changes, and in both we must acknowledge the word of his power.
(1.)Frosts are from God. With him are the treasures of the snow and the hail (Job 38:22, Job 38:23), and out of these treasures he draws as he pleases. [1.] He giveth snow like wool. It is compared to wool for its whiteness (Isa 1:18), and its softness; it falls silently, and makes no more noise than the fall of a lock of wool; it covers the earth, and keeps it warm like a fleece of wool, and so promotes its fruitfulness. See how God can work by contraries, and bring meat out of the eater, can warm the earth with cold snow. [2.] He scatters the hoar-frost, which is dew congealed, as the snow and hail are rain congealed. This looks like ashes scattered upon the grass, and is sometimes prejudicial to the products of the earth and blasts them as if it were hot ashes, Psa 78:47. [3.] He casts forth his ice like morsels, which may be understood either of large hail-stones, which are as ice in the air, or of the ice which covers the face of the waters, and when it is broken, though naturally it was as drops of drink, it is as morsels of meat, or crusts of bread. [4.] When we see the frost, and snow, and ice, we feel it in the air: Who can stand before his cold? The beasts cannot; they retire into dens (Job 37:8); they are easily conquered then, Sa2 23:20. Men cannot, but are forced to protect themselves by fires, or furs, or both, and all little enough where and when the cold is in extremity. We see not the causes when we feel the effects; and therefore we must call it his cold; it is of his sending, and therefore we must bear it patiently, and be thankful for warm houses, and clothes, and beds, to relieve us against the rigour of the season, and must give him the glory of his wisdom and sovereignty, his power and faithfulness, which shall not cease any more than summer, Gen 8:22. And let us also infer from it, If we cannot stand before the cold of his frosts, how can we stand before the heat of his wrath?
(2.)Thaws are from God. When he pleases (Psa 147:18) he sends out his word and melts them; the frost, the snow, the ice, are all dissolved quickly, in order to which he causes the wind, the south wind, to blow, and the waters, which were frozen, flow again as they did before. We are soon sensible of the change, but we see not the causes of it, but must resolve it into the will of the First Cause. And in it we must take notice not only of the power of God, that he can so suddenly, so insensibly, make such a great and universal alteration in the temper of the air and the face of the earth (what cannot he do that does this every winter, perhaps often every winter?) but also of the goodness of God. Hard weather does not always continue; it would be sad if it should. He does not contend for ever, but renews the face of the earth. As he remembered Noah, and released him (Gen 8:1), so he remembers the earth, and his covenant with the earth, Sol 2:11, Sol 2:12. This thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and this thawing wind the Spirit of Christ (for the Spirit is compared to the wind, Joh 3:8); both are sent for the melting of frozen souls. Converting grace, like the thaw, softens the heart that was hard, moistens it, and melts it into tears of repentance; it warms good affections, and makes them to flow, which, before, were chilled and stopped up. The change which the thaw makes is universal and yet gradual; it is very evident, and yet how it is done is unaccountable: such is the change wrought in the conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.
III. For his distinguishing favour to Israel, in giving them his word and ordinances, a much more valuable blessing than their peace and plenty (Psa 147:14), as much as the soul is more excellent than the body. Jacob and Israel had God's statutes and judgments among them. They were under his peculiar government; the municipal laws of their nation were of his framing and enacting, and their constitution was a theocracy. They had the benefit of divine revelation; the great things of God's law were written to them. They had a priesthood of divine institution for all things pertaining to God, and prophets for all extraordinary occasions. No people besides went upon sure grounds in their religion. Now this was, 1. A preventing mercy. They did not find out God's statutes and judgments of themselves, but God showed his word unto Jacob, and by that word he made known to them his statutes and judgments. It is a great mercy to any people to have the word of God among them; for faith comes by hearing and reading that word, that faith without which it is impossible to please God. 2. A distinguishing mercy, and upon that account the more obliging: "He hath not dealt so with every nation, not with any nation; and, as for his judgments, they have not known them, nor are likely to know them till the Messiah shall come and take down the partition-wall between Jew and Gentile, that the gospel may be preached to every creature." Other nations had plenty of outward good things; some nations were very rich, others had pompous powerful princes and polite literature, but none were blessed with God's statutes and judgments as Israel were. Let Israel therefore praise the Lord in the observance of these statutes. Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world! Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thy eyes.
“He that sends his word on earth, until his word runs swiftly.” He that sends is evidently distinct from him that is sent. You have then, here, both the Sender, the almighty God, and also the Word that was sent, who having many names is called by the holy oracles now Wisdom, now Word, now God, and also Lord. And as you know how in a very short time the word of his teaching has filled the whole world, I am sure you will wonder at the fulfillment of the prophecy, “Till his word runs swiftly.”
"Who sends forth His Word to the earth" [Psalm 147:15]. Behold, on earth we toil, weary, fainting, sluggish, cold: when should we be raised up to the fat of wheat that satisfies, did not He send His Word to the earth, whereby we were weighed down, to the earth, whereby we were hindered from returning? He sent His Word, He deserted us not even in the wilderness, He rained manna from heaven. "Who sends forth His Word to the earth;" and to earth His Word came. How? Or what is His Word? "Even unto swiftness His Word runs." He said not, "His Word is swift," but, "His Word runs even unto swiftness." Let us understand, my brethren: He could not have chosen a better word. He who is hot grows hot by heat, he who is cold grows cold by cold, he who is swift becomes swift by swiftness....To what degree then does it run? "Even to swiftness." Increase as much as you will the swiftness of the Word, and say, It is as swift as this or that, as birds, as the winds, as the Angels; is any of these as great as swiftness itself, "even unto swiftness"? What is swiftness itself, brethren? It is everywhere; it is not in part. This belongs to the Word of God, not to be in part, to be everywhere by Himself the Word, whereby He is "the Power of God and the Wisdom of God," [1 Corinthians 1:24] before He had taken flesh upon Him. If we think of God in the Form of God, the Word equal to the Father, this is the Wisdom of God, of which is said, "It reaches from one end to the other mightily." [Wisdom 8:1] What mighty speed! "It reaches from one end to the other mightily."...
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SUMMARY
Psalms 147:15 is a profound declaration of God's sovereign power and the immediate efficacy of His divine will. It beautifully portrays the Lord as actively engaged in His creation, sending forth His decrees and words with unparalleled speed and effectiveness. This verse underscores the absolute authority of God, whose commands are not mere suggestions but potent forces that accomplish His intended purposes without delay or hindrance, whether governing the natural world or directing the course of human history. It reveals a God who is both transcendent in power and intimately involved in the unfolding of His creation.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalms 147 is a magnificent hymn of praise, forming part of the final collection of psalms (Psalms 146-150), often referred to as the "Hallelujah Psalms" due to their recurring call to praise God. This particular psalm shifts between celebrating God's omnipotence over the natural world and His specific, covenantal care for Israel. Verses 1-11 focus on God's greatness, His healing power, and His meticulous care for the humble and the brokenhearted. Verses 12-20 then shift to a more specific praise for God's blessings upon Jerusalem and His unique revelation of His word to Jacob. Verse 15, "He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly," serves as a pivotal bridge, illustrating the mechanism by which God governs both the cosmic order (as seen in the subsequent verses describing snow, frost, ice, and melting waters in Psalms 147:16-18) and His covenant people (through His statutes and judgments in Psalms 147:19-20). It highlights the active, dynamic nature of God's communication and control, seamlessly connecting His cosmic governance to His particular care for Israel.
Historical & Cultural Context: Composed likely in a post-exilic period, possibly after the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (as suggested by Psalms 147:13), Psalm 147 reflects a community experiencing restoration and renewed hope. The people of Israel, having endured exile and dispersion, would have deeply appreciated the themes of God's gathering of the outcasts (Psalms 147:2) and His healing of the brokenhearted (Psalms 147:3). In a world where imperial powers dictated fate and their decrees were often slow to reach distant provinces, the psalm asserts that the true sovereign is Yahweh, whose word, not human decrees, holds ultimate sway over both nature and nations. The imagery of God sending forth His word and it running swiftly would have resonated with the immediacy of royal decrees or the swiftness of divine judgment and blessing, emphasizing God's direct and unhindered governance over all creation.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 147 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence, portraying God as the ultimate ruler whose will is enacted instantly across the earth. His "commandment" is not merely a suggestion but an irresistible decree that brings about His purposes. Secondly, the verse highlights the Efficacy and Power of God's Word. Unlike human words that can be empty or ineffective, God's "word runneth very swiftly," meaning it is inherently active, potent, and accomplishes precisely what He intends without delay or impediment. This theme is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Isaiah 55:11, which states that God's word will not return to Him void but will achieve its purpose. Thirdly, it emphasizes God's Active Providence and Immediacy, showing that God is not a distant deity but one who actively intervenes and governs His creation with promptness and precision. This active governance extends to both the grand cosmic scale, as seen in Genesis 1, where God spoke creation into existence, and to the minute details of life, demonstrating His constant and immediate engagement with His world.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 147:15 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message with vividness and impact. Personification is prominently featured, as God's "word" is depicted as an active agent that "runneth very swiftly." This imbues an abstract concept with human-like qualities of movement and speed, making God's power more tangible and immediate to the reader. The phrase "very swiftly" also functions as a form of Hyperbole, emphasizing the absolute and unhindered effectiveness of God's word, suggesting a speed beyond ordinary human comprehension that highlights its divine origin. While not strictly Anthropomorphism (attributing human form to God), the act of God "sending forth" His commandment suggests a deliberate, volitional action akin to human communication, reinforcing His active involvement in the world. The Parallelism between "his commandment" and "his word" further highlights the singular, unified nature of God's powerful decrees, emphasizing that His spoken will is synonymous with His effective action.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 147:15 offers profound theological insights into the nature of God and His relationship with creation. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty, portraying Him not as a distant, detached deity, but as an intimately involved and actively governing Lord. The swiftness and efficacy of His word underscore the truth that God's will is irresistible and His purposes are unfailing. This divine attribute provides immense comfort and assurance, reminding believers that the same powerful word that governs the cosmos also upholds His promises and directs the lives of His people. It calls us to trust in a God whose every utterance is potent and whose plans are executed with perfect precision and timing, demonstrating His faithfulness across all creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 147:15 serves as a powerful anchor for our faith, reminding us of the unwavering reliability and dynamic power of God's word. In a world often characterized by uncertainty, delay, and unfulfilled promises, this verse stands as a testament to a God whose every utterance is effective and whose purposes are executed with divine swiftness. It encourages us to re-evaluate where we place our trust: not in fleeting human assurances or the unpredictable course of events, but in the immutable and potent word of the Almighty. Understanding that God's word "runneth very swiftly" should infuse us with confidence in His active providence, knowing that His promises for our lives, His plans for His church, and His ultimate victory over all things are being accomplished precisely as He intends, with no power able to thwart His will. This truth should inspire awe, cultivate patience as we await His perfect timing, and ignite a deeper reliance on Scripture as the living and active voice of God in our daily lives, guiding our steps and shaping our understanding of His unfailing character.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth" mean in a practical sense?
Answer: This phrase signifies God's active and direct governance over all earthly affairs. It means that God is not a passive observer but an engaged ruler who issues decrees and instructions that are immediately implemented across the globe. This can refer to His commands over nature (e.g., sending rain, snow, or causing seasons to change, as seen in Psalms 147:16-18), His moral laws and statutes given to humanity (e.g., the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20), or His providential direction of nations and individuals. In essence, it means that God's will, when expressed, is a powerful force that shapes reality on earth, ensuring His purposes are always fulfilled.
How does "his word runneth very swiftly" relate to the concept of God's omnipresence or omnipotence?
Answer: The phrase "his word runneth very swiftly" directly relates to God's omnipotence (all-powerfulness) and implicitly to His omnipresence (being everywhere at once). It emphasizes that when God speaks, His word carries inherent power to accomplish its purpose without any delay or resistance. This swiftness is a hallmark of His omnipotence; unlike human commands that can be ignored or delayed, God's word is instantly effective because it is backed by infinite power, ensuring its immediate and perfect execution. It also touches on His omnipresence in that His word is not limited by space or time; it can be "sent forth upon earth" and "run very swiftly" to any corner of creation, demonstrating that His authority and power are not confined to a single location but are universally present and active, reaching every part of His domain simultaneously.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 147:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the living Word of God. The Old Testament speaks of God's word being sent forth with swift and effective power, and in the New Testament, we see this power perfectly embodied in Jesus. He is the Logos, through whom all things were made, and by whom all things continue to be upheld (Hebrews 1:3). When Christ walked the earth, His word demonstrated the very swiftness and efficacy described in the psalm: He spoke, and diseases vanished (Matthew 8:8), demons fled (Mark 1:27), storms ceased (Mark 4:39), and even the dead were raised (John 11:43). His "commandment" to repent and believe the gospel is a powerful, life-transforming word that "runneth very swiftly" into the hearts of those called, bringing about new creation and salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Ultimately, the swift and effective word of God in Psalms 147:15 is the dynamic, saving, and sovereign power of Christ, who continues to send forth His gospel into the world, accomplishing His redemptive purposes with divine speed and certainty until the day He returns to establish His eternal kingdom.