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Commentary on Psalms 147 verses 1–11
Here, I. The duty of praise is recommended to us. It is not without reason that we are thus called to it again and again: Praise you the Lord (Psa 147:1), and again (Psa 147:7), Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving, sing praise upon the harp to our God (let all our praises be directed to him and centre in him), for it is good to do so; it is our duty, and therefore good in itself; it is our interest, and therefore good for us. It is acceptable to our Creator and it answers the end of our creation. The law for it is holy, just, and good; the practice of it will turn to a good account. It is good, for 1. It is pleasant. Holy joy or delight are required as the principle of it, and that is pleasant to us as men; giving glory to God is the design and business of it, and that is pleasant to us as saints that are devoted to his honour. Praising God is work that is its own wages; it is heaven upon earth; it is what we should be in as in our element. 2. It is comely; it is that which becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. In giving honour to God we really do ourselves a great deal of honour.
II. God is recommended to us as the proper object of our most exalted and enlarged praises, upon several accounts.
1.The care he takes of his chosen people, Psa 147:2. Is Jerusalem to be raised out of small beginnings? Is it to be recovered out of its ruins? In both cases, The Lord builds up Jerusalem. The gospel-church, the Jerusalem that is from above, is of this building. He framed the model of it in his own counsels; he founded it by the preaching of his gospel; he adds to it daily such as shall be saved, and so increases it. He will build it up unto perfection, build it up as high as heaven. Are any of his people outcasts? Have they made themselves so by their own folly? He gathers them by giving them repentance and bringing them again into the communion of saints. Have they been forced out by war, famine, or persecution? He opens a door for their return; many that were missing, and thought to be lost, are brought back, and those that were scattered in the cloudy and dark day are gathered together again.
2.The comforts he has laid up for true penitents, Psa 147:3. They are broken in heart, and wounded, humbled, and troubled, for sin, inwardly pained at the remembrance of it, as a man is that is sorely wounded. Their very hearts are not only pricked, but rent, under the sense of the dishonour they have done to God and the injury they have done to themselves by sin. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit he speaks peace, assures them that their sins are pardoned and that he is reconciled to them, and so makes them easy, pours the balm of Gilead into the bleeding wounds, and then binds them up, and makes them to rejoice. Those who have had experience of this need not be called upon to praise the Lord; for when he brought them out of the horrible pit, and set their feet upon a rock, he put a new song into their mouths, Psa 40:2, Psa 40:3. And for this let others praise him also.
3.The sovereign dominion he has over the lights of heaven, Psa 147:4, Psa 147:5. The stars are innumerable, many of them being scarcely discernible with the naked eye, and yet he counts them, and knows the exact number of them, for they are all the work of his hands and the instruments of his providence. Their bulk and power are very great; but he calleth them all by their names, which shows his dominion over them and the command he has them at, to make what use of them he pleases. They are his servants, his soldiers; he musters them, he marshals them; they come and go at his bidding, and all their motions are under his direction. He mentions this as one instance of many, to show that great is our Lord and of great power (he can do what he pleases), and of his understanding there is no computation, so that he can contrive every thing for the best. Man's knowledge is soon drained, and you have his utmost length; hitherto his wisdom can reach and no further. But God's knowledge is a depth that can never be fathomed.
4.The pleasure he takes in humbling the proud and exalting those of low degree (Psa 147:6): The Lord lifts up the meek, who abase themselves before him, and whom men trample on; but the wicked, who conduct themselves insolently towards God and scornfully towards all mankind, who lift up themselves in pride and folly, he casteth down to the ground, sometimes by very humbling providences in this world, at furthest in the day when their faces shall be filled with everlasting shame. God proves himself to be God by looking on the proud and abasing them, Job 40:12.
5.The provision he makes for the inferior creatures. Though he is so great as to command the stars, he is so good as not to forget even the fowls, Psa 147:8, Psa 147:9. Observe in what method he feeds man and beast. (1.) He covereth the heaven with clouds, which darken the air and intercept the beams of the sun, and yet in them he prepareth that rain for the earth which is necessary to its fruitfulness. Clouds look melancholy, and yet without them we could have no rain and consequently no fruit. Thus afflictions, for the present, look black, and dark, and unpleasant, and we are in heaviness because of them, as sometimes when the sky is overcast it makes us dull; but they are necessary, for from these clouds of affliction come those showers that make the harvest to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness (Heb 12:11), which should help to reconcile us to them. Observe the necessary dependence which the earth has upon the heavens, which directs us on earth to depend on God in heaven. All the rain with which the earth is watered is of God's preparing. (2.) By the rain which distils on the earth he makes grass to grow upon the mountains, even the high mountains, which man neither takes care of nor reaps the benefit of. The mountains, which are not watered with the springs and rivers, as the valleys are, are yet watered so that they are not barren. (3.) This grass he gives to the beast for his food, the beast of the mountains which runs wild, which man makes no provision for. And even the young ravens, which, being forsaken by their old ones, cry, are heard by him, and ways are found to feed them, so that they are kept from perishing in the nest.
6.The complacency he takes in his people, Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11. In times when great things are doing, and there are great expectations of the success of them, it concerns us to know (since the issue proceeds from the Lord) whom, and what, God will delight to honour and crown with victory. It is not the strength of armies, but the strength of grace, that God is pleased to own. (1.) Not the strength of armies - not in the cavalry, for he delighteth not in the strength of the horse, the war-horse, noted for his courage (Job 39:19,. etc.) - nor in the infantry, for he taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man; he does not mean the swiftness of them for flight, to quit the field, but the steadiness of them for charging, to stand the ground. If one king, making war with another king, goes to God to pray for success, it will not avail him to plead, "Lord, I have a gallant army, the horse and foot in good order; it is a pity that they should suffer any disgrace;" for that is no argument with God, Psa 20:7. Jehoshaphat's was much better: Lord, we have no might, Ch2 20:12. But, (2.) God is pleased to own the strength of grace. A serious and suitable regard to God is that which is, in the sight of God, of great price in such a case. The Lord accepts and takes pleasure in those that fear him and that hope in his mercy. Observe, [1.] A holy fear of God and hope in God not only may consist, but must concur. In the same heart, at the same time, there must be both a reverence of his majesty and a complacency in his goodness, both a believing dread of his wrath and a believing expectation of his favour; not that we must hang in suspense between hope and fear, but we must act under the gracious influences of hope and fear. Our fear must save our hope from swelling into presumption, and our hope must save our fear from sinking into despair; thus must we take our work before us. [2.] We must hope in God's mercy, his general mercy, even when we cannot find a particular promise to stay ourselves upon. A humble confidence in the goodness of God's nature is very pleasing to him, as that which turns to the glory of that attribute in which he most glories. Every man of honour loves to be trusted.
"The Lord takes up the gentle" [Psalm 147:6]. For example; you understand not, you fail to understand, canst not attain: honour God's Scripture, honour God's Word, though it be not plain: in reverence wait for understanding. Be not wanton to accuse either the obscurity or seeming contradiction of Scripture. There is nothing in it contradictory: somewhat there is which is obscure, not in order that it may be denied you, but that it may exercise him that shall afterward receive it. When then it is obscure, that is the Physician's doing, that you may knock. He willed that you should be exercised in knocking; He willed it, that He might open to you when you knock. By knocking you shall be exercised; exercised, you shall be enlarged; enlarged, you shall contain what is given. Be not then indignant for that it is shut; be mild, be gentle. Kick not against what is dark, nor say, It were better said, if it were said thus. For how can you thus say, or judge how it is expedient it be said? It is said as it is expedient it be said. Let not the sick man seek to amend his remedies: the Physician knows how to temper them: believe Him who cares for you. Therefore what comes next?..."The Lord takes up the gentle, but humbles the sinners even to the ground," he intended a certain sort of sinners to be understood, from the gentleness mentioned first. By sinners then in this place, we understand the fierce, and those who are not gentle. Wherefore does He "humble them even to the earth"? They carp at objects of understanding, they shall perceive only things earthly.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 147:6 articulates a profound truth about God's active and just governance, revealing His contrasting and decisive actions toward two distinct groups: the humble and the wicked. This verse encapsulates a core biblical principle of divine righteousness, where the sovereign Lord intervenes to elevate those who are meek in spirit and to bring low those who oppose His will and righteous order, thereby demonstrating His ultimate authority over all human affairs and creation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 147:6 employs several potent literary devices to convey its powerful message with striking clarity and impact. Antithetical Parallelism is central to the verse's structure, presenting two contrasting clauses that highlight opposing ideas: God's act of lifting up the meek versus His act of casting down the wicked. This balanced opposition powerfully emphasizes the stark difference in divine treatment based on moral character and spiritual posture. Personification is evident in the active verbs "lifteth up" and "casteth down," which attribute human-like actions to God, making His divine intervention feel immediate, tangible, and personal. Furthermore, the phrase "down to the ground" functions as a form of Merism or Hyperbole, effectively conveying complete humiliation, utter defeat, and a total reversal of fortune for the wicked, implying that their downfall is absolute and inescapable.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 147:6 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's righteous governance and His unique, preferential relationship with the humble. It powerfully affirms God's unwavering commitment to justice, where true strength and lasting success are found not in worldly power, self-assertion, or arrogance, but in meekness, humility, and profound dependence on Him. This divine principle assures believers that though injustice and the prosperity of the wicked may seem to prevail temporarily, God ultimately holds the scales of justice, ensuring that the humble will be exalted and the proud brought low. It underscores that God's kingdom operates on an entirely different set of values than the world's, prioritizing humility, righteousness, and reliance on Him over self-exaltation and wickedness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound comfort and reassurance to those who feel overlooked, oppressed, or marginalized in a world that often values power and self-promotion. It reassures them that their humble posture before God is not only seen but deeply valued and will ultimately be vindicated. It encourages believers to actively cultivate a spirit of meekness, trusting that God will indeed vindicate and elevate them in His perfect timing, not necessarily by worldly standards of success, but in ways that truly matter for His eternal kingdom. Conversely, it serves as a solemn warning to those who live in pride, self-sufficiency, or actively engage in wickedness, reminding them that God's judgment is certain and that their perceived power and prosperity are fleeting. For all, this verse calls for a deep, abiding trust in God's ultimate justice, even when immediate circumstances seem to defy it, prompting us to align our lives with His righteous character and to champion humility and justice in our spheres of influence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who are "the meek" in a practical sense, and how does God "lift them up"?
Answer: "The meek" are those who are humble, gentle, patient, and submissive to God's will, often experiencing various forms of affliction or hardship. They are characterized by a lack of self-assertion and a profound reliance on God's power and justice, rather than their own. God "lifts them up" in multifaceted ways: He provides for their needs, grants them spiritual wisdom and discernment, vindicates them against their oppressors, restores their dignity and honor, and ultimately exalts them in His kingdom. This lifting up may not always manifest as immediate worldly success or prominence, but it is always a divine affirmation, blessing, and ultimately, an eternal inheritance, as promised in Matthew 5:5.
Does God always immediately cast down the wicked?
Answer: Not always immediately in a visible, temporal sense that aligns with human expectations. The Bible teaches that God is patient and longsuffering, extending grace and giving ample opportunity for repentance (e.g., 2 Peter 3:9). However, Psalms 147:6 affirms that His judgment is certain and ultimate. While the wicked may appear to prosper for a time, their downfall is assured, whether in this life through various forms of humiliation and defeat, or eternally in the final judgment. The psalmist often grapples with this perceived delay in divine justice, but ultimately affirms God's unwavering righteousness and the inevitable end of the wicked, as powerfully depicted in Psalms 73:17-20.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 147:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential "meek" one, who, though eternally God in the flesh, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:7). Jesus perfectly embodied humility, submitting Himself entirely to the Father's will, even to the point of a humiliating death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). Throughout His earthly ministry, He consistently lifted up the humble, ministering to the poor, the sick, and the marginalized, and teaching His disciples that "whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4). His resurrection from the dead and subsequent ascension to the right hand of God are the ultimate "lifting up" by the LORD, demonstrating God's perfect vindication of His perfectly meek Son, whom "God exalted to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). Conversely, Jesus' triumph over sin, death, and Satan—the ultimate "wicked" forces—represents the definitive "casting down to the ground" of all that opposes God's righteous rule, foreshadowing the final judgment where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11). Thus, in Christ, we witness God's perfect justice fully realized: the meek Son is eternally exalted, and all wickedness is utterly defeated.