Bible Commentaries
Psalms 147

Verses 1-20

In this psalm, beginning with a call which declares the pleasantness and comeliness of praise (v. Psa 147:1 ), the singer first celebrates the Divine activity in restoring His people (vv. Psa 147:2-6 ). He then proceeds to declare how God provides for all human needs (vv. Psa 147:7-11 ); and finally rejoices in the perfection of His government (vv. Psa 147:12-20 ).

In the first movement dealing with the restoration of Israel, there is a very beautiful suggestion of the inter- relation of the pitying power of God. “He healeth the broken-hearted ... He telleth the number of the stars.” In this activity of restoration there is manifest power and wisdom, and strict discrimination in the upholding of the meek, and the abasing of the wicked. In His providence God provides for all material needs, and yet His purpose in so doing is that of creating the spiritual attitudes towards Himself in which He supremely delights, His delight finally not in animal strength, but in the fear and hope which constitute spiritual strength.

In the last movement there is a fine recognition of His provision of material supply, which is however, all the way through made a parabolic of His sustenance of spiritual strength. Literally He gives His people “the finest of the wheat,” and actually gives snow, and hoar frost, and ice; and yet all these things are intended to be revelations of the methods by which He sends His commandment and His word, His statutes and His judgments, for the perfect ordering of life.