Psalms 147:1-8

1 Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God! How pleasant and right it is to praise him!

2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem. He gathers the scattered people of Israel.

3 He heals those who have broken hearts. He takes care of their wounds.

4 He decides how many stars there should be. He gives each one of them a name.

5 Great is our Lord. His power is mighty. There is no limit to his understanding.

6 The LORD gives strength to those who aren't proud. But he throws evil people down to the ground.

7 Sing to the LORD and give thanks to him. Make music to our God on the harp.

8 He covers the sky with clouds. He supplies the earth with rain. He makes grass grow on the hills.

Psalms 147:1-8 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.