Psalms 147

Psalms 147:1

IT is good to sing praises unto our God] Psalms 92:1.

for it is pleasant] He sheweth wherein we ought to exercise our selves continuall, and to take delight, to wit, in praising God, for that is pleasing to him.

and praise is comely] Psalms 33:1.

Psalms 147:2

The Lord doth build up Jerusalem] Because the LORD is the founder of the church, it cannot be destroyed, though the members thereof be dispersed, and seem as it were, for a time, to be cast off.

he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel] Deuteronomy 30:3.

Psalms 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart] With affection, or with sorrow for sin.

wounds] Heb. griefs.

Psalms 147:4

He telleth the number of the starres] Though it seem to man incredible, that God should assemble his church, being so dispersed, yet nothing can be too hard for him, that can number, and name all the stars.

he calleth them all by their names] Isaiah 40:26.

Psalms 147:5

his understanding is infinite] Heb. of his understanding there is no number, Isaiah 40:28. Romans 11:33.

Psalms 147:6

he casteth the wicked down to the ground] For the more high that the wicked climb, the greater is their fall in the end, Psal. 73. 18, 19.

Psalms 147:7

Sing unto the Lord] Heb. Answer: That is, sing by turns, Exodus 15:21. and Exodus 32:18. Or, answer Gods goodnesse by thankfulnesse and obedience.

Psalms 147:8

Who covereth the heaven with clouds] He sheweth, by the examples of Gods mighty power, goodnesse and wisdom, that we can never want most just occasion to praise God.

who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grasse to grow upon the mountains] Psal. 104. 13, 14.

Psalms 147:9

He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young raven which cry] Job 38:41. Psal. 104. 27, 28.

to the young ravens which cry] For their crying is, as it were a confession of their need, which cannot be relieved without God: then if God shew himself mindfull of the most contemptible fowls, can he suffer them to die with famine, whom he hath assured of life everlasting? Job 38:41. Matthew 6:26.

which cry] Or, when they cry.

Psalms 147:10

he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man] God is thus bountifull to the creatures, not for any worth in them, but for his love to his people.

Psalms 147:11

in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy] Psalms 33:18.

hope in his mercy] Heb. wait for his mercy.

Psalms 147:13

he hath strengthned the barres of thy gates] He doth not onely furnish his church with all things necessary, but preserveth also the same, and maketh it strong against outward force.

Psalms 147:14

He maketh peace in thy borders] Heb. who maketh thy border peace.

finest of the wheat] Heb. fat of wheat, Deuteronomy 32:14. Psalms 81:16.

Psalms 147:15

He sendeth forth his commandment] His secret working in all creatures, is as a commandment to keep them in order, and to give them motion and force.

his word runneth very swiftly] For immediately, and without resisting, all things obey him.

Psalms 147:19

He sheweth] As before he called Gods secret working in all his creatures, his word, so here he meaneth the will of God revealed in the scriptures, given to his church, as a most precious treasure.

his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgements unto Israel] Malachi 4:4.

his word unto Jacob] Heb. his words: That is, the ten words, or commandments. He gave them the law morall, ceremoniall, judiciall, Malachi 4:4.

Psalms 147:20

they have not known them] The cause of this difference is, Gods free mercy to his church, which hath therefore great cause to praise him, Romans 3:1.