Psalms 147:6-16

6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked down to the earth.

7 Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

8 Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares the rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.

9 He who gives the beast his food and to the sons of the ravens which cry unto him.

10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; nor does he take pleasure in the legs of a man.

11 The LORD takes pleasure in those that fear him, in those that wait upon his mercy.

12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13 For he has strengthened the bars of thy gates; he has blessed thy sons within thee.

14 He who makes peace to be thy borders shall fill thee with the finest of the wheat.

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.

Psalms 147:6-16 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.