Psalms 147:2-12

2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem;^[a] He gathers Israel's exiled people.^[b]

3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.^[c]

4 He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.

5 Our Lord is great, vast in power; His understanding is infinite.^{[d] [e]}

6 The Lord helps the afflicted but brings the wicked to the ground.

7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; play the lyre to our God,^[f]

8 who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and causes grass to grow on the hills.

9 He provides the animals with their food, and the young ravens, what they cry for.

10 He is not impressed by the strength of a horse; He does not value the power^[g] of a man.

11 The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.^[h]

12 Exalt the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion!

Psalms 147:2-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Ps 51:18; Ezr 6:3; Neh 2:17; Dn 9:25
• [b]. Dt 30:4; Neh 1:9; Isa 11:12
• [c]. Ps 34:18; Isa 61:1
• [d]. Lit understanding has no number
• [e]. Jb 12:13; Isa 40:14,28
• [f]. Ps 149:3
• [g]. Lit legs
• [h]. Ps 33:18; 149:4; Dt 5:29