Bible Commentaries
Psalms 147

Verse 4

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Calleth them — He exactly knows them as we do those whom we can call by name.

Verse 9

He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

Ravens — Which he mentions because they were most contemptible, especially to the Jews, to whom they were unclean: and because they are not only neglected by men, but also forsaken by their dams as soon as ever they can fly, and so are wholly left to the care of Divine providence.

Verse 10

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

Delighteth not — As if he needed either the one or the other for the accomplishment of his designs.

Verse 13

For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

Thy gates — Thy strength consists not in thy walls, and gates, and bars, but in his protection.

Verse 14

He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

Borders — In all thy land, even to its utmost borders.

Verse 15

He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

Commandment — Which is sufficient without any instruments to execute whatsoever pleaseth him.

Swiftly — The thing is done without delay.

Verse 16

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

Like wool — Not only in colour and shape, and softness, but also in use, keeping the fruits of the earth warm.

Ashes — In colour and smallness of parts, as also in its burning quality.

Verse 17

He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

Ice — Great hail-stones, which are of an icy nature, and are cast forth out of the clouds, like morsels or fragments.