Psalms 147

Psalms 147:1

Psalm 147: Jerusalem Restored Praise God!It is generally thought that this song celebrates the restoration of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. If it was appropriate then, it will have even fuller meaning when the King comes back and finally restores the fortunes of the city and of the nation. The continuity of the Psalm is as follows: The appropriateness of praise (v. 1). For the restoration of Israel (vv. 2-6). For God’s providence in nature (vv. 7-9). For His delight in the spiritual rather than in the physical (vv. 10, 11). For His goodness to Jerusalem (vv. 12-14). For His control of the elements (vv. 15-18). For His special favor to Israel (vv. 19, 20). 147:1 The renewed nature of man shows instinctively that it is good to . . . praise the LORD. It is pleasant as well and eminently appropriate. 147:2-4 He is the God of restoration. Here He is praised for rebuilding Jerusalem and regathering Israel’s e9migre9s from their captivity. The fact that a nation or individual has failed does not mean that God is finished with them. In His gracious ministry of restoring, He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. And since He numbers the stars and calls each of them . . . by name, it must follow that He numbers His people and knows each one individually and intimately. The way in which the tender compassion of the Lord is placed beside His infinite knowledge in verses 3 and 4 caused Archibald G. Brown to exclaim: O Holy Spirit, with lowly reverence we venture yet to say that never hast Thou collected and put side by side two more exquisite statements than these: “He healeth the broken in heart, and knoweth the number of the stars.” With His healing hand on a broken heart, And the other on a star, Our wonderful God views the miles apart, And they seem not very far. M. P. Ferguson147:5, 6 He is a great Lordmighty in power, and infinite in understanding. He revives and perks up the oppressed, and throws down their wicked oppressors. 147:7-9 Then God should be thanked and praised for His providence in nature. We should sing our gratitude to Him for the clouds spread across the heavens. We should make melody to Him for the rain and all it means to the earth. We should praise Him for the grass that covers the hills. Whole books could be written about the essential roles played by the clouds, the rain, and the grass. Though He is so great, yet He is concerned to see that the wild animals get their food, and He responds to the plaintive caw of the hungry young ravens. 147:10, 11 He should be worshiped for the priority He gives to the spiritual over the physical. He is not awed by the horses in the cavalry unit, or for the strong, muscular legs of the infantrymen. Or to change the figure, He doesn’t take pleasure in the horses as they race, or the athletes as they contend in the Olympics. But the LORD is delighted with those who reverence Him and who hope in His mercy. 147:12-14 Then again He should be adored for His goodness to Jerusalem. Four distinct blessings come into view. Civil securityHe makes strong cross-bars to secure the city gates against invasion. Domestic felicityThe inhabitants enjoy a happy, full life. National tranquilityHe makes peace along the frontiers. Agricultural prosperityHe satisfies the people with the finest foods. 147:15-18 His control over the elements should not be forgotten when praising Jehovah. When He sends out His orders, they produce prompt and dramatic results. The earth becomes covered with snow, as if it were a woolen blanket. He dusts the ground with frost that looks like white ashes. When the hail stones come crashing down, who can refrain from scurrying for shelter? Then He changes His orders and the snow and ice melt. The south wind causes the temperature to rise and the spring thaw begins. And so it is in human affairs that the dark, cold winters are followed by the warmth and revival of spring. 147:19, 20 Finally, He is to be honored for His special favor to Israel. It was to this nation alone that He delivered His laws and covenants. No other nation has been so favored. The Gentiles were not the recipients of His regulations. Williams writes: His election of Israel as the depository of His Word, and as the channel of its communication to the world (vv. 19 and 20) moved both Moses and Paul to wonder and worship (Deu_4:8; Rom_3:2; Rom_11:33).