Psalms 147:20

He hath not dealt so with any nation: and [as for his] judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

He hath not dealt {H6213} so with any nation {H1471}: and as for his judgments {H4941}, they have not known {H3045} them. Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}.

He has not done this for other nations; they do not know his rulings. Halleluyah!

He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!

He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye Jehovah.

Commentary

Psalms 147:20 KJV declares the unique and unparalleled relationship God had with the nation of Israel, setting them apart from all other peoples on earth. This verse serves as a powerful concluding statement to a psalm overflowing with praise for God’s majestic power over creation and His intimate care for His chosen people.

Context

Psalm 147 is a vibrant hymn of praise that extols God's greatness, both in His control over the natural world (e.g., sending snow, frost, and rain) and in His specific, tender care for His people. The preceding verses (especially Psalms 147:19) highlight that God "sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel." This sets the stage for verse 20, emphasizing the exclusivity of this divine revelation. Historically, this psalm is often understood to have been composed in a post-exilic period, celebrating God's faithfulness in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering the dispersed of Israel, underscoring His covenant promises.

Key Themes

  • God's Unique Favor on Israel: The verse powerfully asserts that God "hath not dealt so with any nation," signifying Israel's distinct and privileged position. This special relationship was not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign choice and covenant love.
  • Divine Revelation and Law: The phrase "as for his judgments, they have not known them" points to the unparalleled gift of God's revealed law (the Torah, statutes, and decrees) given exclusively to Israel. This revelation provided the framework for their moral, civil, and spiritual life, guiding them in righteousness. Other nations did not receive this direct, explicit divine instruction.
  • Call to Praise: The concluding exhortation, "Praise ye the LORD," acts as a natural and fitting response to God's incredible acts of grace and unique revelation. It encapsulates the overarching message of the entire psalm.

Linguistic Insights

The term "judgments" in Hebrew is mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים), which refers to God's ordinances, decrees, and just laws. It encompasses more than just legal rulings; it signifies the entire body of divine instruction and moral principles revealed by God. This word highlights the authoritative and righteous nature of God's commands, which were a unique possession for Israel.

Significance and Application

This verse underscores a foundational truth of the Old Testament: God chose Israel for a special purpose, entrusting them with His divine revelation. This privilege is echoed in other parts of scripture, such as when Moses declared, "what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law?" (Deuteronomy 4:8). Similarly, the Apostle Paul later affirmed that to the Jews "were committed the oracles of God" (Romans 3:2).

For us today, this verse invites reflection on:

  • God's Sovereignty: Acknowledging God's right to choose and deal uniquely with nations and individuals according to His divine plan.
  • The Value of God's Word: Appreciating the immense gift of God's revealed truth, which guides and instructs us. We have access to God's complete revelation in the Bible.
  • Gratitude and Praise: Responding with profound gratitude for God's grace and mercy, which ultimately extended to all nations through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ (John 3:16). While Israel received the law, all believers now participate in the new covenant through Christ.

The final command, "Praise ye the LORD," serves as a perpetual reminder that our proper response to God's unparalleled goodness and revelation is worship and adoration.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 4:32 (8 votes)

    For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and [ask] from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been [any such thing] as this great thing [is], or hath been heard like it?

  • Deuteronomy 4:34 (8 votes)

    Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

  • Romans 3:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision?

  • Romans 3:2 (7 votes)

    Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

  • Deuteronomy 4:7 (6 votes)

    For what nation [is there so] great, who [hath] God [so] nigh unto them, as the LORD our God [is] in all [things that] we call upon him [for]?

  • Deuteronomy 4:8 (6 votes)

    And what nation [is there so] great, that hath statutes and judgments [so] righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

  • Ephesians 2:12 (6 votes)

    That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: