PSALM CXLVII _The psalmist praises God for his goodness to Jerusalem_, 1-3; _shows his great mercy to them that trust in him_, 4-6; _he extols him for his mercies, and providential kindness_, 7-11; _for his defence of Jerusalem_, 12-15; _For his wonders in the seasons_, 16-18; _and his word un... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:2. _THE LORD DOTH BUILD UP_] The psalmist appears to see the _walls_ rising under his eye, because the _outcasts of Israel_, those who had been in _captivity_, are now _gathered together_ to do the work.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:3. _HE HEALETH THE BROKEN IN HEART_] שבורי, _the shivered_ in heart. From the root שבר _shabar_, to _break in pieces_, we have our word _shiver_, to break into _splinters_, into _shivers_. The heart broken in pieces by a sense of God's displeasure.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:4. _HE TELLETH THE NUMBER OF THE STARS_] He whose knowledge is so exact as to tell every star in heaven, can be under no difficulty to find out and collect all the scattered exiles of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:5. _HIS UNDERSTANDING_ IS _INFINITE._] To _his intelligence_ _there is no number_: though he _numbers the stars_, his _understanding_ is without _number_. It is infinite; therefore, he _can know_, as he _can do_, all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:6. _THE LORD LIFTETH UP THE MEEK_] The humbled, the afflicted.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:7. _SING UNTO THE LORD_] ענו _enu_, sing a responsive song, sing in parts, answer one another.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:8. _WHO COVERETH THE HEAVEN WITH CLOUDS_] Collects the vapours together, in order to cause it to rain upon the earth. Even the direction of the winds, the collection of the clouds, and the descent of the rain, are under the especial management of God. These things form a part of his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:10. _HE DELIGHTETH NOT_] The _horse_, among all animals, is most delighted in by man for _beauty, strength_, and _fleetness_. And a _man's legs_, if well proportioned, are more admired than even the finest features of his face. Though God has made _these_, yet they are not his pecul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:11. _THE LORD TAKETH PLEASURE IN THEM THAT FEAR HIM_] That are truly religious. _IN THOSE THAT HOPE IS HIS MERCY._] Who are just beginning to seek the salvation of their souls. Even the _cry of the penitent_ is pleasing in the ear of the Lord. With this verse the _hundred and_ _for... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:13. _HE HATH STRENGTHENED THE BARS OF THY GATES_] He has enabled thee to complete the _walls of Jerusalem_. From the former part of the Psalm it appears the _walls were then in progress_; from this part, they appear to be _completed_, and provisions to be brought into the city, to s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:14. _HE MAKETH PEACE_] They were now no longer troubled with the Samaritans, Moabites, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:15. _HE SENDETH FORTH HIS COMMANDMENT_] His substantial word. It is here personified, מימרא _meymra_, Chaldee; and appears to be a very active agent running every where, and performing the purposes of his will.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:16. _HE GIVETH SNOW LIKE WOOL_] Falling down in large flakes; and in this state nothing in nature has a nearer resemblance to fine white _wool_. _SCATTERETH THE HOAR FROST LIKE ASHES._] Spreading it over the whole face of nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:17. _HE CASTETH FORTH HIS ICE_] קרחו _korcho_, (probably _hailstones_,) like crumbs. _WHO CAN STAND BEFORE HIS COLD?_] At particular times the cold in the _east_ is so very intense as to kill man and beast. _Jacobus de_ _Vitriaco_, one of the writers in the _Gesta Dei per Francos_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:18. _HE SENDETH OUT HIS WORD_] He gives a command: the _south_ _wind_ blows; the _thaw_ takes place; and the _ice_ and _snow_ being liquefied, the _waters flow_, where before they were bound up by the ice.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:19. _HE SHOWETH HIS WORD UNTO JACOB_] To no nation of the world beside had God given a revelation of his will.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 147:20. _AND_ AS FOR HIS _JUDGMENTS_] The wondrous ordinances of his law, no nation had known them; and consequently, did not know the glorious things in futurity to which they referred. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND FORTY-SEVENTH PSALM The parts of this Psalm are _two_: - I. An exhort... [ Continue Reading ]