Psalms 147
Dort1. Praise the LORD, for it is good to sing Psalms unto our God: [i.e. it becomes and besitteth Gods Children very well] Because he is pleasant [others, for it is, etc.] praise is well becoming. [it becomes and sutes well with the children of God to praise the LORD, or the praising of the Lord, is a goodly thing in it self.]
2. The LORD buildeth Jerusalem: [God is the first Author, Founder, Master-builder, Keeper and Preserver of the Church] he gathered the scattered of Israel, Deut.30.3.4. Isa.11.verse 12. And 56.8. John 11:52.]
3. He healeth the broken of heart; [See the Annot. Psalm 30.on v.3. and 34.on v.19. and 51.19.] and he binds them up in their griefs.
4. He tells the number of the Stars: he calleth them all by names.
5. Our LORD is great, and of much power: [Hebr. Manifold, or great of power] of his understanding there is no number. [i.e. it is impossible to conceive, or comprehend and utter how great and manifold his understanding and wisdom is. See Isa.40.v.28.]
6. The LORD keeps the meek standing: [See the Annot.on Psalm 10.v.17.] the wicked he bringeth low to the ground.
7. Sing unto the LORD by turns [Hebr. Answer the LORD, i.e. sing unto the LORD, the one answering the other. See Exodus 15:21. and 32.18.] with thanksgiving: sing Psalms to our God, upon the Harp.
8. Which covereth the Heavens with Clouds: [As was done in the time of the Prophet Elia, 1 Kings 18:45.] which maketh the grass to sprout forth (upon) the Mountains: [of the word grass. See the Annot.1 King.18.on v.5.]
9. Which giveth the cattle it s fodder, [Hebr. His bread] to the young Ravens [Hebr. The sons of the Raven. See the Annot. Job.39.on verse 3.] when they cry.
10. He hath no pleasure in the strength of the Horse: he hath no delight in the legs of a man. [Under the name of the horse and a mans legs, he comprehends all manner of human helps, and strengths, even strong holds and fenced Cities, which though God doth not utterly reject (for they are gifts and favours proceeding from his liberal hand) yet the Psalmist here reproveth mens putting their trust and confidence in them. See Deut.7.9. and 9.4.]
11. The LORD hath pleasure in them that fear him; that hope in his kindness.
12. O Jerusalem praise the LORD: O Zion, laud thy God. [Understand here by these places the inhabitants of Jerusalem which was built by the hill of Zion.]
13. For he maketh strong the bars of thy Gates: [i.e. he protects and defends the City you inhabite, and he doth preserve it against all violence and practises of the enemies. This was a token of Gods favour and love unto his people Israel; as also a sign of Zions strength and tenableness. See the contrary hereof, Psalms 107:16. Isaiah 45:2. Jerem.51.30. Lam.2.9. Amos.1.5.] be blesseth the children within thee.
14. Which setteth thy Borders (in) peace: [Iy is the LORD, that giveth you peace in all the parts and corners of your Country. See Isa.60.18.] he filleth thee with the fat of the wheat. [compare Deuteronomy, 32.14. and the Annotations on Psalm 81.verse 17.]
15. He sends his Precepts upon Earth: [Hebr. His saying, or, speaking, his word, i.e. his command. Understand here the secret and inward vigour and power, which God endureth the Earth withal to bring forth trees and fruit, every tree and growing thing according to its kind] his word runs very swift. [as soon as the Command or Word of God doth issue forth, all the creatures of the World do yield immediate obedience.]
16. He giveth Snow like Wool: [Snow and Wool are like one another in colour, lightness and shape] he straweth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17. He throweth his Ice like pieces: [Understand hereby the Hail or frozen Hail-stones] who can subsist before his cold? [as if he said, if God is pleased, He may send such an extremity of Frost, that no living Creatures shall be able to endure it.]
18. He sends his word, [See above, verse 15.] and causeth them to melt: [viz. The said Frost and Ice or pieces of Ice] He maketh his wind to blow, [viz. A warm wind, which hath power to melt the Ice.] the waters flow away. [viz. Those which were Ice before.]
19. He maketh known his Words to Jacob: his Institutions and his rights to Israel. [These two Names betoken the people of the Jews or Israelites in general: perceive by the several above rehearsed works, how great the power of God is: but he sheweth yet far greater favour to his Church, giving her his law, and holy Commandments, to frame their lives accordingly.]
20. Thus hath he done to no people: [Others, to no Heathens, Hebr. Not to all people (or Heathen) which words not to all, are often used in the Hebrew, for to none; as, Psalm 103.v.2. and 143.2.] and his rights they know not. [others, therefore they do not know his rights] Hallelu-Jah. [This word both begins and ends this Psalm, as also do Psalm 156.148.149, 150.]