Psalms 147:12-20

12 Extol the LORD, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion.
13 He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws.[a]Praise the LORD.

Psalms 147:12-20 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.

Cross References 19

  • 1. Psalms 48:1
  • 2. S Deuteronomy 33:25
  • 3. S Leviticus 25:21; Psalms 128:5; Psalms 134:3
  • 4. S Leviticus 26:6; S 2 Samuel 7:10; S Isaiah 48:18; Isaiah 60:17-18
  • 5. S Psalms 132:15
  • 6. S Deuteronomy 32:14
  • 7. Job 37:12; Psalms 33:9; Psalms 148:5
  • 8. Isaiah 55:11
  • 9. Psalms 148:8; Job 37:6
  • 10. S Job 37:12; Job 38:29
  • 11. Exodus 9:22-23; S Job 38:22; S Psalms 78:47
  • 12. ver 15; Psalms 33:9; Psalms 107:20
  • 13. S Psalms 50:3
  • 14. S Exodus 20:1; Romans 3:2
  • 15. Psalms 78:5
  • 16. S Deuteronomy 33:4; Joshua 1:8; 2 Kings 22:8; Malachi 4:4; Romans 9:4
  • 17. Dt 4:7-8,32-34
  • 18. S Psalms 79:6
  • 19. Psalms 33:2; Psalms 103:1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint "nation; / he has not made his laws known to them"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.