Bible Commentaries
Psalms 147

Verses 1-20

PSALM 147

The regathered nation of Israel called to praise the Lord for His restoring grace, His providential goodness, and His preserving care.

(vv. 1-6) Israel, delivered from all their enemies, rejoice in the favour of the Lord. They celebrate His restoring grace, gladly recognizing that they owe all their blessing to what He had done.

Man can break down, but only the Lord can “build up Jerusalem.” We in our folly can scatter the people of God; but it is only the Lord who “gathereth together” His outcast people. We can break hearts; it is only the Lord who “healeth the broken in heart.” We can open old wounds; it is the Lord who “bindeth up” our wounds.

Yet the One who, with tender compassion can stoop to heal a broken heart on earth, is the One who, in the greatness of His power, can tell the number of the stars, and in His infinite wisdom, call them all by names.

Man may crush the meek; but the Lord lifts them up. Alas! man may exalt the wicked, but the Lord casts them down to the ground.

(vv. 7-11) A further call for praise is found in the providential goodness of the Lord. He orders the clouds and sends the rain, and “maketh the grass to grow” to provide for His creatures. He delights not in those who trust in mere animal strength, but in the God-fearing who hope in His mercy.

(vv. 12-20) For the third time in the course of the psalm the people are called to praise the Lord. Already they had praised the Lord for His restoring grace that had gathered the outcasts and rebuilt Jerusalem; now He is praised for His preserving care, that keeps the gates of the city, maintains peace, satisfies the needs of His people (vv. 13-14); commands the seasons for their blessing (vv. 15-18); reveals His mind, and gives His statutes and judgments unto Israel (vv. 19-20).