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Psalm 147

Praise for God’s Care for Jerusalem

1

Praise the L ord!

How good it is to sing praises to our God;

for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

2

The L ord builds up Jerusalem;

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3

He heals the brokenhearted,

and binds up their wounds.

4

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

5

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

6

The L ord lifts up the downtrodden;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

 

7

Sing to the L ord with thanksgiving;

make melody to our God on the lyre.

8

He covers the heavens with clouds,

prepares rain for the earth,

makes grass grow on the hills.

9

He gives to the animals their food,

and to the young ravens when they cry.

10

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,

nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;

11

but the L ord takes pleasure in those who fear him,

in those who hope in his steadfast love.

 

12

Praise the L ord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13

For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your children within you.

14

He grants peace within your borders;

he fills you with the finest of wheat.

15

He sends out his command to the earth;

his word runs swiftly.

16

He gives snow like wool;

he scatters frost like ashes.

17

He hurls down hail like crumbs—

who can stand before his cold?

18

He sends out his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.

19

He declares his word to Jacob,

his statutes and ordinances to Israel.

20

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;

they do not know his ordinances.

Praise the L ord!


19. He announces his words to Jacob, etc. Here it is another word that is spoken of than what was formerly mentioned; for God speaks in a different way to the insensate works of his hands, which he silently subordinates to his will by secret laws impressed upon them, than he does to men who are endued with understanding, for these he teaches with articulate language, that they may obey him intelligently and with consent. Although the blessings formerly mentioned are not to be depreciated, they fall far short of this, that he has condescended to be the teacher of his chosen people, by communicating to them that religious doctrine which is a treasure of everlasting salvation. How little would it avail the Church that it were filled with the perishing enjoyments of time, and protected from hostile violence, did not its hope extend beyond this world. This, accordingly, is the grand proof of his love, that he has set before us in his word the light of eternal life. On this account it is appropriately mentioned here as the crowning part of true solid happiness. And let us learn from this, that we should not only receive the doctrine of God with reverential and holy obedience, but embrace it with affection, for we can conceive of nothing more delightful and desirable than that God should undertake our salvation, and give testimony of this by stretching out his hand to bring us to himself. For this is the design with which the doctrine has been given to us, that amidst the thick darkness of this world, and the devious errors into which Satan misleads the children of men, the great Father of us all may by it cast a foregoing light upon our path before gathering us to the inheritance of heaven. We are to notice, that the part which was sustained by Moses and the Prophets according to divine appointment is here ascribed to God himself, for we only put due honor upon the doctrine of religion, and estimate it at its proper worth when we rise to the consideration of God, who, in using the instrumentality of men, still claims to be considered our chief and only teacher. Thus its due majesty is assigned to the word from the person of its author. Again, he enhances the mercy shown by stating a comparison, intimating that this had not been done for other nations For if it be asked why God preferred one people to others, this pre-eminence will certainly lead us to gratuitous election as its source, since we will find that the children of Israel did not differ from others in any excellency attaching to themselves, but because God passed by others and condescended to adopt them into his favor.


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