146:1–150:6
The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the LORD! (Hebrew haleluyah).
Study notes
Psalms 147
146:1–150:6 Section
The book of Psalms ends with five poems of praise. These psalms praise God for being the King who rules for ever over everything and everyone. They praise him for being the Maker of everything that exists. They praise him for taking care of every part of creation.
This includes caring for the stars, the weather, the land, plants and animals. It includes making sure that justice is done for needy people. God takes care of outsiders, prisoners, widows and children whose parents have died. He takes care of those who are blind, hungry, helpless or treated badly. He cares deeply for each human being.
Every single creature and thing made by God is able to praise him. Psalm 149 and Psalm 150 talk about ways that human beings praise God. They praise him with their hands. This means that they obey God’s commands. God uses them to bring judgement against those who refuse to respect and obey him.
Humans also praise God with their mouths. This means that their words bring honour and glory to God. They sing songs of praise about God’s work in their lives. These songs were called new songs. They were new because they were based on receiving God’s mercy in new ways. Singing, dancing and playing instruments are some ways that humans praise God. These are ways to show their joy. God’s people can be full of joy because God delights in them and blesses them.
147:1
This verse is a call to worship.
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.
147:2–6
The psalmist remembers how the Lord restored Jerusalem and brought back his people who had suffered in exile.
147:4–5
The Lord created the heavens.
He determines the number of the stars: God's people can feel secure knowing the Lord cares for every detail of his creation. He knows all that belongs to him.
147:6
God delivers justice to both the poor and the wicked (Psalms 55:22; 140:12; 145:14; 146:7).
147:7–11
Human achievements do not impress God, who commands nature. Instead, he finds joy in those who fear him.
147:8
God has complete authority and power over the weather (Psalms 77:17–18; 78:26; 104:4; 148:5–6).
147:10–11
the legs of a man: Any physical or mental strength comes from the Lord, like the strength of a horse. These gifts are reasons to praise the Lord, not to boast (Jeremiah 9:23–24).
147:13
the bars of your gates: These represent protection from enemies.
God blesses his people by giving them safety, prosperity, peace, and the things they need (see Psalm 133:3).
147:15–18
Simply by speaking his command, the Lord can change the season from harsh winter to refreshing spring (see Psalms 147:8; 148:5–6).
147:19–20
word … statutes … judgments: The Lord gave powerful words to Israel so that they might obey him (Psalm 105:45).
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources