United Commentaries

Ps.146.1-150.6

The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the Lord! (Hebrew haleluyah).

Ps.147.1-20

The psalmist calls for the Lord to be praised for restoring and blessing Zion, caring for the poor, displaying his power over nature, and revealing himself to his people.

Ps.147.1

This verse is a call to worship.

Ps.147.2-6

The psalmist recalls the restoration of Jerusalem and the Lord’s afflicted exiles.

Ps.147.4-5

The Lord created the heavens.

He counts the stars: God’s people can feel secure in knowing that the Lord attends to every detail of his creation; he knows all that belongs to him.

Ps.147.6

God measures out his justice on the poor and on the wicked (55:22; 140:12; 145:14; 146:7).

Ps.147.7-11

Human achievements fail to impress the God who commands nature; rather, he takes pleasure in those who fear him.

Ps.147.8

God holds sovereign power over the weather (77:17-18; 78:26; 104:4; 148:5-6).

Ps.147.10-11

human might: Any physical or intellectual achievement is a gift from the Lord, just like the strength of a horse. These gifts are a reason to praise the Lord, not to boast (Jer 9:23-24).

Ps.147.13

The bars of the city gates symbolize defenses against enemies.

God blessed his people by empowering them with safety, prosperity, peace, and provisions (see 133:3).

Ps.147.15-18

Simply by speaking his command, the Lord can change the season from unbearable winter to refreshing spring (see 147:8; 148:5-6).

Ps.147.19-20

words . . . decrees . . . regulations: The Lord gave powerful words to Israel so that they might obey him (105:45).