Psalms 147 - Introduction

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 for His beneficent Providence towards all His creatures, and acknowledge that He delights not in physical strength but in reverent trust (Psalms 147:7-11).

iii. Praise Him for peace and prosperity. He who controls the forces of Nature has given Israel the revelation of His law which distinguishes it from every other nation (Psalms 147:12-20).

The thoughts of Jehovah's special goodness to Israel, of His power and beneficence manifested in Nature, and of His moral government of the world are intertwined. As in the other Psalms of this group, thoughts and language are largely borrowed, especially from Psalms 33, Isaiah 40 ff., and Job; but they are recast into a new and vigorous song, breathing the spirit of hearty thanksgiving evoked by some special event. It must have been written at a time when Jerusalem was enjoying special tokens of the restoration of Jehovah's favour; and it is a not improbable conjecture that it was composed for the Festival of the Dedication of the walls of Jerusalem celebrated by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 12:27-43). After the completion of the walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah summoned the Levites settled in the neighbourhood to assemble at Jerusalem. The Priests and Levites purified themselves, and then purified the people, and the gates, and the wall. Two processions were formed of the Priests and Levites with the princes of Judah: one accompanied by Ezra went to the right, the other accompanied by Nehemiah went to the left. On the east of the city the processions met, and went to the Temple, where sacrifices were offered in the midst of general rejoicings.

Whether the Psalm was composed for this or for some similar occasion at a later time, for example in the high-priesthood of Simon ben Johanan, who, like a second Nehemiah, restored the walls of Jerusalem (Sir 50:4), cannot be decided, but at any rate it may serve to illustrate the feelings of the time. Nehemiah 9:5-6 is in full accord with the spirit of this group of Psalms.

In the LXX the Psalm is divided into two; Psalms 147:1 forming 146, and 12 20 forming 147, in the LXX numbering; and the title Alleluia; of Haggai and Zechariah, is prefixed to both.