Psalms 147:2-12

2 The Lord is building up Jerusalem; he makes all the outlaws of Israel come together.

3 He makes the broken-hearted well, and puts oil on their wounds.

4 He sees the number of the stars; he gives them all their names.

5 Great is our Lord, and great his power; there is no limit to his wisdom.

6 The Lord gives help to the poor in spirit; but he sends sinners down in shame.

7 Make songs of praise to the Lord; make melody to our God with instruments of music.

8 By his hand the heaven is covered with clouds and rain is stored up for the earth; he makes the grass tall on the mountains.

9 He gives food to every beast, and to the young ravens in answer to their cry.

10 He has no delight in the strength of a horse; he takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The Lord takes pleasure in his worshippers, and in those whose hope is in his mercy.

12 Give praise to the Lord, O Jerusalem; give praise to your God, O 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.