(9) Comp. Psalms 104:14; Psalms 145:15; Job 38:41; Luke 12:24.The proper attitude towards one who is thus “great to grant as mighty to make,” is not conceit of wisdom and strength, but humble dependence and trust. read more
Praise and Life Psalms 147:1 ; Psalms 148:12 I. The Universal Hallelujah. One has amplified and localized and modernized the application of this Psalm because it is, perhaps, in its call to Nature to find a voice and praise the Lord, more nearly akin to our own modern thought, more like the high Christian teaching of our own poet Wordsworth than any other in the Hebrew Psalter. II. A Pagan Hymn of Praise. We should err if we thought that the idea of praise to the Most High God was either... read more
Psalms 147:1-20THE threefold calls to praise Jehovah (Psalms 147:1, Psalms 147:7, Psalms 147:12) divide this psalm into three parts, the two former of which are closely connected, inasmuch as the first part is mainly occupied with celebrating God’s mercy to the restored Israel, and the second takes a wider outlook, embracing His beneficence to all living things. Both these points of view are repeated in the same order in the third part (Psalms 147:12-20), which the LXX makes a separate psalm.... read more
Psalm 144-150 The Hallelujah Chorus The five Psalms with which this marvellous book closeth are all Psalms of praise. The word “praise” is found in the Hebrew thirty-seven times. Each one of these Psalms begins and ends with a hallelujah; there are ten hallelujahs. First is a hallelujah which celebrates Himself, He who is the God of Jacob. Precious vision of Him who delights to call Himself “the God of Jacob,” the God who loves the sinner and has redeemed His people. Who is He? The Creator of... read more
147:8 Who {f} covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.(f) He shows by the example of God’s mighty power, goodness, and wisdom, that he can never lack just opportunity to praise God. read more
147:9 He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which {g} cry.(g) For their crying is as it were a confession of their need, which cannot be relieved, but by God alone, then if God show himself mindful of the most contemptible souls, can he suffer them to die with famine, whom he has assured of life everlasting? read more
Psalms 135:0 Praises God for choosing Jacob (Psalms 135:1-4 ), extols His power in the natural world (Psalms 135:5-7 ), and in the deliverance of His people from Egypt (Psalms 135:8-9 ) and bringing them into the promised land (Psalms 135:10-12 ). All this is in contrast to the vanity of idols (Psalms 135:13-18 ). Psalms 136:0 Is of the same character as the preceding, but is notable for the chorus attached to each verse a chorus with which we have become familiar in other psalms (Psalms 106:1... read more
The Grand Doxology Psalms 146-150 How could the Book of Psalms end but in this way? Psalms cannot end in prose. Whether the arrangement is mechanical or inspired, it is the best possible. There is a fitness of things, and that fitness is realised in this peroration. It is as if a great broad river had suddenly become a resounding cascade; these five psalms are the final cataract. The Psalmist will have everything pressed into the choir. He will not have a small band. He ranges creation... read more
I do not think it needful to go over the several things here mentioned. If Jesus doth thus order, arrange, direct, and bless his church, and take delight in those that hope in his mercy; what can be more sweet and proper than to see the souls of his redeemed going out after him, in writings, adorations, love, and praise? Oh! the blessedness of communion! Jesus gives of his fulness; and his people come with their emptiness to be supplied. Jesus is not only glorified when they actively praise... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 147:1-20
A song of praise in which the Psalmist recounts God’s mercies (1) in restoring Jerusalem, (2) in helping those cast down, (3) in caring for the animal world, and (4) in the changing seasons.2. Build up] i.e. rebuild, after the captivity.7. Sing praise] better, ’make melody.’10. Against self-reliance. 11. Hope in his mercy] better, ’wait for His lovingkindness.’17. Morsels] crumbs (of bread). Frost and snow at Jerusalem are comparatively rare. A change soon follows: cp. Psalms 147:18.19, 20. The... read more