Psalms 147:14-20

14 he brings peace within your borders, he gives you your fill of the finest wheat.
15 He sends his word out over the earth, his command runs swiftly.
16 Thus he gives snow like wool, scatters hoarfrost like ashes,
17 sends crystals of ice like crumbs of bread -who can withstand such cold?
18 Then he sends his word out and melts them; he makes the winds blow, and the water flows.
19 He reveals his words to Ya'akov, his laws and rulings to Isra'el.
20 He has not done this for other nations; they do not know his rulings. Halleluyah!

Psalms 147:14-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 147

This psalm is thought to be written by David, and according to Theodoret predicts the return of the Jews from Babylon, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem by Zerubbabel, which seems to be grounded on Ps 147:2; though the words there agree well enough with the times of David; hence the title in the Septuagint, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Syriac versions, and Apollinarius, is as the preceding; the Syriac adds,

``concerning Zerubbabel and Joshua the priest, and Ezra, who were solicitous and diligent in building Jerusalem.''

Aben Ezra and other Jewish writers think it foretells the future rebuilding of Jerusalem, and the restoration of the Jews from their present captivity, and refer it to the times of the Messiah; and so far it may be right, that it respects Christ and the praise of him, on account of his nature and works; and may take in the conversion of the Jews. It seems to be written by the same person, and on the same account, as the preceding psalm.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.