Psalms 147:15-20

15 He sends forth his word upon earth; his word runs very swiftly.
16 He who gives snow like wool scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casts forth his ice like morsels; who can stand before his cold?
18 He shall send forth his word and melt them; his wind shall blow, and the waters shall flow.
19 He declares his words unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He has not dealt so with the other nations, which have not known his judgments. Halelu-JAH.

Psalms 147:15-20 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.

The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010