Psalms 147:1-9

1 Hallelujah! It is good to sing psalms to our God. It is pleasant to sing [his] praise beautifully.

2 The LORD is the builder of Jerusalem. He is the one who gathers the outcasts of Israel together.

3 He is the healer of the brokenhearted. He is the one who bandages their wounds.

4 He determines the number of stars. He gives each one a name.

5 Our Lord is great, and his power is great. There is no limit to his understanding.

6 The LORD gives relief to those who are oppressed. He brings wicked people down to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD a song of thanksgiving. Make music to our God with a lyre.

8 He covers the sky with clouds. He provides rain for the ground. He makes grass grow on the mountains.

9 He is the one who gives food to animals and to young ravens when they call out.

Psalms 147:1-9 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.