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 ]