1471 Praise ye Jah! For 'it is' good to praise our God, For pleasant—comely 'is' praise. 2 Building Jerusalem 'is' Jehovah, The driven away of Israel He gathereth. 3 Who is giving healing to the broken of heart, And is binding up their griefs. 4 Appointing the number of the stars, To all them He giveth names. 5 Great 'is' our Lord, and abundant in power, Of His understanding there is no narration. 6 Jehovah is causing the meek to stand, Making low the wicked unto the earth. 7 Answer ye to Jehovah with thanksgiving, Sing ye to our God with a harp. 8 Who is covering the heavens with clouds, Who is preparing for the earth rain, Who is causing grass to spring up 'on' mountains, 9 Giving to the beast its food, To the young of the ravens that call. 10 Not in the might of the horse doth He delight, Not in the legs of a man is He pleased. 11 Jehovah is pleased with those fearing Him, With those waiting for His kindness.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 147:1-11
Commentary on Psalm 147:1-11
(Read Psalm 147:1-11)
Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely; it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. He gathers outcast sinners by his grace, and will bring them into his holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, he speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let others praise him also. Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is a dept that can never be fathomed. And while he telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear the broken-hearted sinner. While he feeds the young ravens, he will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, therefore no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist delights not in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.