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While freely using existing materials, especially Psalms 33, 104; Isaiah 40; and the book of Job, the author gives proof of his own powers in the keenness of his observation of nature, and in his sympathy with the life and movement of the world, as well as by the free play of his fancy round each phenomenon that attracts him.<p>The evident allusion to a rebuilding of Jerusalem has been referred both to the great restoration under Nehemiah and to the repairs and fortifications of Hyrcanus (<a href="//apocrypha.org/1_maccabees/16-23.htm" title="As concerning the rest of the acts of John, and his wars, and worthy deeds which he did, and the building of the walls which he made, and his doings,">1 Maccabees 16:23</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-1.htm">Psalm 147:1</a></div><div class="verse">Praise ye the LORD: for <i>it is</i> good to sing praises unto our God; for <i>it is</i> pleasant; <i>and</i> praise is comely.</div>-1<a href="/psalms/135-3.htm" title="Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises to his name; for it is pleasant.">Psalm 135:3</a> is plainly before the poet in this verse; and yet, since Psalms 33 is in other respects his model, it is extremely doubtful whether we ought to change the reading, so as to make a complete correspondence between the verses, or suppose that the alteration was intentional, in accordance with “praise is comely for the upright<span class= "ital">” </span>in <a href="/psalms/33-1.htm" title="Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.">Psalm 33:1</a>. (See Notes on both the passages; comp. also <a href="/psalms/92-1.htm" title="IT IS A GOOD THING TO GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD, AND TO SING PRAISES UNTO THY NAME, O MOST HIGH:">Psalm 92:1</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-2.htm">Psalm 147:2</a></div><div class="verse">The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.</div>(2) <span class= "bld">Build up—</span>i.e., of course, “rebuild.” The word “outcasts,” which is that used in <a href="/isaiah/11-12.htm" title="And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.">Isaiah 11:12</a>; <a href="/isaiah/56-8.htm" title="The Lord GOD, which gathers the outcasts of Israel said, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered to him.">Isaiah 56:8</a>, shows that the rebuilding after the captivity is intended. The LXX. and Vulg. have <span class= "ital">“</span>dispersion;” Symmachus, “those thrust out.”<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Psalm 147:3</a></div><div class="verse">He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.</div>(3) <span class= "bld">Broken in heart.—</span>As in <a href="/psalms/34-18.htm" title="The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.">Psalm 34:18</a>. (Comp. <a href="/isaiah/61-1.htm" title="The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;">Isaiah 61:1</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">Wounds.—</span>See margin, and comp. <a href="/job/9-28.htm" title="I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that you will not hold me innocent.">Job 9:28</a>; <a href="/proverbs/15-13.htm" title="A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.">Proverbs 15:13</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-4.htm">Psalm 147:4</a></div><div class="verse">He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by <i>their</i> names.</div>(4) <span class= "bld">Stars.—</span>This proof of God’s power to help, by reference to the stars of heaven, which are beyond man’s power to count, much more to name, but which the Almighty both numbers and names, seems rather abruptly introduced, but the train of thought is clear. To assemble the dispersed of Israel, however numerous and scattered, was easy to the ruler of the hosts of heaven. The original promise to Abraham was, of course, in the poet’s mind, but still more <a href="/context/isaiah/40-26.htm" title="Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who has created these things, that brings out their host by number: he calls them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one fails.">Isaiah 40:26-28</a>, from which the expression may have been taken. The dramatic “Lift your eyes on high and behold” supplies the link needed in the abrupt entrance of the thought of the psalm.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-5.htm">Psalm 147:5</a></div><div class="verse">Great <i>is</i> our Lord, and of great power: his understanding <i>is</i> infinite.</div>(5) <span class= "bld">Of great power.—</span>Literally, <span class= "ital">abounding in power.</span><p><span class= "bld">Infinite.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">without number. </span>(See Note, <a href="/psalms/145-3.htm" title="Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.">Psalm 145:3</a>, and <a href="/isaiah/40-28.htm" title="Have you not known? have you not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faints not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.">Isaiah 40:28</a>; that prophetic passage being still in the poet’s mind, though the expression is changed.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-6.htm">Psalm 147:6</a></div><div class="verse">The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.</div>(6) <span class= "bld">The meek.—</span>Or, <span class= "ital">the afflicted. </span>(See Note <a href="/psalms/22-26.htm" title="The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.">Psalm 22:26</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-7.htm">Psalm 147:7</a></div><div class="verse">Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:</div>(7) <span class= "bld">Sing.</span>—Literally, <span class= "ital">answer, </span>which some think suggests an antiphonal arrangement. Though the strophic arrangement is only loosely marked, the psalm takes a new departure here, with a fresh invocation to praise, going on to fresh proofs from nature of the Almighty Power.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-9.htm">Psalm 147:9</a></div><div class="verse">He giveth to the beast his food, <i>and</i> to the young ravens which cry.</div>(9) <span class= "bld">Comp.</span> <a href="/psalms/104-14.htm" title="He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;">Psalm 104:14</a>; <a href="/psalms/145-15.htm" title="The eyes of all wait on you; and you give them their meat in due season.">Psalm 145:15</a>; <a href="/job/38-41.htm" title="Who provides for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for lack of meat.">Job 38:41</a>; <a href="/luke/12-24.htm" title="Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them: how much more are you better than the fowls?">Luke 12:24</a>.<p>The proper attitude towards one who is thus “great to grant as mighty to make,” is not conceit of wisdom and strength, but humble dependence and trust.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-10.htm">Psalm 147:10</a></div><div class="verse">He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.</div>(10) <span class= "bld">Strength of the</span> <span class= "bld">horse . . . legs of a man.</span>—This somewhat strange antithesis has been explained to refer to cavalry and infantry, but the much more expressive passage, <a href="/context/psalms/33-16.htm" title="There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.">Psalm 33:16-17</a>, which was plainly before this poet, would hardly have been altered so strangely. The horse as a type of strength and endurance was of course common. (Comp. especially <a href="/context/job/39-19.htm" title="Have you given the horse strength? have you clothed his neck with thunder?">Job 39:19-25</a>.) And we have before seen that Eastern nations naturally select fleetness of foot as the typical quality in a vigorous warrior. (See <a href="/psalms/18-33.htm" title="He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me on my high places.">Psalm 18:33</a>.)<p>The constant epithet “swift-footed Achilles,” suggests the best explanation of the second clause of the verse. (Comp. <a href="/2_samuel/2-18.htm" title="And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.">2Samuel 2:18</a>).<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-12.htm">Psalm 147:12</a></div><div class="verse">Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.</div>(12) <span class= "bld">Praise.</span>—For this verb, properly <span class= "ital">stroke, </span>or <span class= "ital">soothe, </span>see <a href="/psalms/63-5.htm" title="My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips:">Psalm 63:5</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-13.htm">Psalm 147:13</a></div><div class="verse">For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.</div>(13) <span class= "bld">For he hath strengthened.—</span>An allusion to the new fortifications of the restored city is probable, though the expression is plainly figurative of security and peace.<p>With the second clause comp. <a href="/context/isaiah/60-17.htm" title="For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also make your officers peace, and your exactors righteousness.">Isaiah 60:17-18</a>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-14.htm">Psalm 147:14</a></div><div class="verse">He maketh peace <i>in</i> thy borders, <i>and</i> filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.</div>(14) <span class= "bld">Maketh peace.</span>—Or, <span class= "ital">placing as thy border peace.</span><p><span class= "bld">Finest of the wheat.—</span>Literally, <span class= "ital">fat of wheat. </span>(See <a href="/psalms/81-16.htm" title="He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you.">Psalm 81:16</a>.)<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-15.htm">Psalm 147:15</a></div><div class="verse">He sendeth forth his commandment <i>upon</i> earth: his word runneth very swiftly.</div>(15) Psalms 33 is still in the poet’s thought, and <a href="/context/psalms/147-6.htm" title="The LORD lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground.">Psalm 147:6-7</a> especially; but some extraordinary season of frost seems to have kindled his inspiration, so that he not only elaborates but improves on his model. The word of God is personified as a messenger who runs swiftly forth to do his bidding, at first in binding the earth and sheaves up with frost, and then (<a href="/psalms/147-18.htm" title="He sends out his word, and melts them: he causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.">Psalm 147:18</a>) in suddenly thawing and releasing them.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-16.htm">Psalm 147:16</a></div><div class="verse">He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.</div>(16) <span class= "bld">Like wool.</span>—Both in whiteness and fleecy texture. “The snow falls in large flakes, equal in size to a walnut, and has more resemblance to locks of wool than it has in our country” (Niven, <span class= "ital">Biblical Antiq., </span>p. 21).<p>“A spice quam densum tacitarum vellus aquarum Defluat.<p>MART., <span class= "ital">Ep. iv. 3</span>.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-17.htm">Psalm 147:17</a></div><div class="verse">He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?</div>(17) <span class= "bld">Morsels.</span>—Or, <span class= "ital">crumbs. </span>(<a href="/genesis/18-5.htm" title="And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort you your hearts; after that you shall pass on: for therefore are you come to your servant. And they said, So do, as you have said.">Genesis 18:5</a>; <a href="/judges/19-5.htm" title="And it came to pass on the fourth day, when they arose early in the morning, that he rose up to depart: and the damsel's father said to his son in law, Comfort your heart with a morsel of bread, and afterward go your way.">Judges 19:5</a>.) Doubtless the allusion is to hail.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-19.htm">Psalm 147:19</a></div><div class="verse">He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.</div>(19) <span class= "bld">Jacob . . . Israel.</span>—As in the other two pieces into which the psalm divides (<a href="/context/psalms/147-6.htm" title="The LORD lifts up the meek: he casts the wicked down to the ground.">Psalm 147:6-11</a>), the thought passes from the grandeur of God revealed in nature to the divine protection and favour accorded to Israel.<p> <div class="versenum"><a href="/psalms/147-20.htm">Psalm 147:20</a></div><div class="verse">He hath not dealt so with any nation: and <i>as for his</i> judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.</div>(20) <span class= "bld">Any nation.</span>—This boast in Israel’s peculiar and exclusive privilege may be compared with <a href="/deuteronomy/4-7.htm" title="For what nation is there so great, who has God so near to them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call on him for?">Deuteronomy 4:7</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/32-32.htm" title="For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:">Deuteronomy 32:32-41</a>.<p><span class= "bld">Judgments.</span>—Here plainly not manifestations of wrath; but, as so frequently in Psalms 119, the display of righteousness towards Israel.<p><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers<br /><br />Text Courtesy of <a href="//biblesupport.com" target="_top">BibleSupport.com</a>. 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