Psalms 147:7-17

7 Answer ye to Jehovah with thanksgiving, Sing ye to our God with a harp.

8 Who is covering the heavens with clouds, Who is preparing for the earth rain, Who is causing grass to spring up [on] mountains,

9 Giving to the beast its food, To the young of the ravens that call.

10 Not in the might of the horse doth He delight, Not in the legs of a man is He pleased.

11 Jehovah is pleased with those fearing Him, With those waiting for His kindness.

12 Glorify, O Jerusalem, Jehovah, Praise thy God, O Zion.

13 For He did strengthen the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons in thy midst.

14 Who is making thy border peace, [With] the fat of wheat He satisfieth Thee.

15 Who is sending forth His saying [on] earth, Very speedily doth His word run.

16 Who is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth.

17 Casting forth His ice like morsels, Before His cold who doth stand?

Psalms 147:7-17 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.