This spirited Psalm of praise for the restoration of Jerusalem
consists of three divisions, each beginning with a fresh call to
praise.
i. Praise Jehovah the Restorer of Jerusalem, the omnipotent and
omniscient Ruler of the universe, the moral Governor of the world
(Psalms 147:1-6).
ii. Praise Him... [ Continue Reading ]
The text of this verse seems to be in some confusion. The
_Hallelujah_, which ought, as in the other Psalms of this group, to
stand by itself as the summons of the precentor to the congregation
(see on Psalms 104:35), here forms part of Psalms 147:1, the
construction of which is otherwise awkward an... [ Continue Reading ]
Praise Jehovah, the restorer of Israel, the sovereign ruler of the
world.... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's goodness to Jerusalem.
_doth build up_ The restoration and repeopling of the city generally
are meant, not merely the reconstruction of its houses and walls. It
is regarded as a continuous process, still in progress.
_he gathereth together_&c. Cp. Deuteronomy 30:1-4; Isaiah 56:8; Isaiah... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Isaiah 59:1; Hosea 6:1. Israel, crushed with grief and despair,
wounded with sorrow and shame in its exile, is meant. Nehemiah's
feelings (Psalms 1:4; Psalms 2:3) represent those of every true
Israelite. Cp. Psalms 137. Possibly the further thought is implied
that sorrow had wrought contrition ... [ Continue Reading ]
An imitation of Isaiah 40:26; Isaiah 40:28. Jehovah's omniscience and
omnipotence are partly a ground for praise, partly an encouragement to
trust Him. Cp. Psalms 146:6. He who knows each separate star will not
lose sight of one single Israelite.
_He telleth_&c. Either simply, he counteth the numbe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Great_is _our Lord, and_abundant _in power_ The language is borrowed
from Isaiah 40:26.
_his understanding_is _infinite_ Lit. _to his understanding there is
no number_, it is incalculable. _Number_is substituted for
_searching_of Isaiah 40:28, perhaps to suggest a contrast to Psalms
147:5. He numb... [ Continue Reading ]
Jehovah's power is manifested in His moral government of the world.
Cp. Psalms 146:9. Though the language is general, it has obviously a
special reference to the restoration of Israel and the humiliation of
their oppressors.
_lifteth up_ Or as R.V. upholdeth, the same word as in Psalms 146:9.
_the... [ Continue Reading ]
_sing_praise] Make melody unto our God with harp, as Psalms 98:5 _a_.... [ Continue Reading ]
A renewed call to praise Jehovah for His beneficence, and to recognise
the conditions of His favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 104:13-14.
_upon the mountains_ Without man's care and cultivation.
The LXX adds καὶ χλὁην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν
ἀνθρώπων from Psalms 104:14, Vulg. -herbam servituti
hominum," which appears in P.B.V. as _and herb for the use of men_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Psalms 145:15; Job 38:41; Luke 12:24. Tristram, _Nat. Hist, of
Bible_, p. 200, denies that there is any foundation for the notion
that the raven turns its young out of the nest at so early a period
that they are unable to provide for themselves. Perhaps the raven's
croak struck the Psalmist espe... [ Continue Reading ]
11. Based upon Psalms 33:16-18. Jehovah's delight is not in physical
strength, but in reverent trustfulness; a thought of consolation,
parallel to Psalms 147:6. Israel might look regretfully back to its
ancient military power, or envy the forces of neighbouring nations;
but it is by spiritual stren... [ Continue Reading ]
_those that hope in his mercy_ Or, _those that wait for his
loving-kindness_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Praise the Lord_ Laud Jehovah.
_thy God, O Zion_ As Psalms 146:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Zion is summoned to praise Jehovah for the blessings of peace and
prosperity. The Lord of Nature is He Who has endowed Israel with
unique privileges.... [ Continue Reading ]
_he hath strengthened_ The same word is used in Nehemiah 3:4 ff. of
_repairing_or fortifying the wall and gates. All through Nehemiah's
narrative appears the conviction that "this work was wrought of our
God."
_the bars of thy gates_ There may be a particular reference to
Nehemiah 3:3; Nehemiah 3:6... [ Continue Reading ]
satisfleth _thee_with _the_fat _of wheat_ Fulfilling His ancient
promises. Cp. Psalms 81:16; Deuteronomy 32:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
A reminiscence of Isaiah 55:10-11. As in Psalms 107:20 the Word or
command of God is personified. The word for _commandment_(lit.
-saying") is cognate with the verb _spake_in Psalms 33:9; Genesis 1:3,
&c.... [ Continue Reading ]
"Snow must always have been rare in Central and Southern Palestine,"
and "frost is very rare at Jerusalem." Tristram, _Nat. Hist. of
Bible_, p. 28. They would therefore be more striking phenomena than
they are to us; and it has been plausibly suggested that the Psalm was
composed in or after an exce... [ Continue Reading ]
_his ice like morsels_ Hail, like fragments or crumbs of bread.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. Deuteronomy 4:7-8. The Lord, whose word all Nature obeys, has
given Israel His word in the law; a privilege which distinguishes it
from every other nation.
_judgments_ Or, _ordinances_.... [ Continue Reading ]