Psalm 147
Israel Praises Jehovah as Preserver and Restorer of Israel
Israel Praises Jehovah as Preserver and Restorer of Israel
Psalm 147. In this Psalm Israel praises Jehovah as the Preserver and Restorer of Israel. Psalm 147 speaks of the work of Jehovah to rebuild Jerusalem. We can see how this Psalm might have been enjoyed by Israel in the time of Nehemiah when the wall was rebuilt, but clearly the fulfillment of this passage goes far beyond the recovery in the days of Nehemiah. It looks on to the full and final restoration of Israel in the Millennium!
PSALM 147
1 Praise ye Jah! for it is good. Sing psalms of our God; for it is pleasant: praise is comely.
v.1 Pleasant Praise. Israel offers up the praise of their hearts, and it is pleasant and comely. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov. 25:11).
2 Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He counteth the number of the stars; he giveth names to them all.
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 Jehovah lifteth up the meek; he abaseth the wicked to the earth.
vv.2-6 The Restoration of Israel. In these verses we have the restoration of Israel. Jerusalem is built up, the outcast are regather into the land, their wounds are healed. The power of Jehovah is witnessed over creation as He counts and names the stars. Israel rejoices in the greatness and wisdom of their God! He has set all things right.
7 Sing unto Jehovah with thanksgiving; sing psalms upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heavens with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains;
9 Who giveth to the cattle their food, 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 Jehovah taketh pleasure in those that fear him, in those that hope in his loving-kindness.
vv.7-11 Jehovah’s Pleasure. Israel praises Jehovah was with song and music. They sing of His Creatorial power put forth for the blessing of Israel. They have learned something important about Jehovah’s ways: He does not delight in natural strength, but rather in those who fear Him! The “strength of the horse” would be the power of human agencies, and “the legs of a man” would be the natural strength of a man. What God is looking for is a heart that is submitted to Him. Prophetic events will demonstrate this great moral lesson for all the world to see, and Israel will learn it! May we also learn it.
12 Laud Jehovah, 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; he satisfieth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his oracles to the earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool, scattereth the hoar frost like ashes;
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18 He sendeth his word, and melteth them; he causeth his wind to blow — the waters flow.
19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt thus with any nation; and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Hallelujah!
vv.12-20 Jehovah Praised for His Dealings with Israel. In these verses we have Israel’s praise for Jehovah on account of His dealings with them as a nation. They mentioned the protection of their city Jerusalem, the blessing of their children, peace with their enemies, provision of the finest food, the blessing of His Word on earth, and His power over creation. They conclude by saying, “He hath not dealt thus with any nation; and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Hallelujah!”