Psalms 147 Study Notes: Praise for the Rebuilder of Jerusalem
The psalmist calls for praise to the God who restores Jerusalem, gathers exiles, heals grieving hearts, and names every star. He feeds animals, delights in those who revere Him rather than in human might, rules snow and thaw by His command, and gave His laws to Israel alone.
General
True or False: In 147:12-14, Jerusalem is called to praise God because He makes its gates secure, blesses its children, gives peace at its borders, and feeds it well.
Answer: True
This is true. Jerusalem, also called Zion, is summoned to praise its God (147:12). The reasons follow: He makes the bars of its gates strong so the city is safe, blesses the children living in it, brings peace to its borders, and satisfies it with the best wheat (147:13-14). Safety, family blessing, peace, and plenty are all gifts from God. Psalm 122:7 prays for peace and prosperity within Jerusalem, Psalm 81:16 speaks of God feeding His people with the best of the grain, and Leviticus 26:6 lists peace in the land among God's covenant blessings.
- Psalm 147:12-14 (BSB)“Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion! For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you. He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat.”Jerusalem is called to praise for the security, blessing, peace, and plenty God gives.
- Psalm 122:7 (BSB)“May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.””Another psalm prays for peace within Jerusalem's walls and prosperity in its fortresses.
- Psalm 81:16 (BSB)“But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.””God speaks of feeding His people with the finest wheat.
- Leviticus 26:6 (BSB)“And I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down with nothing to fear. I will rid the land of dangerous animals, and no sword will pass through your land.”Peace in the land is among the blessings God promised His obedient people.
Theological
True or False: 147:12-14 grounds Zion's praise in God's gifts of secure gates, blessed children, peace at its borders, and abundant food.
Answer: True
This is true. The call to Jerusalem and Zion (147:12) is grounded in concrete covenant blessings: fortified gates, blessed children, peace at the borders, and the best of the grain (147:13-14). Each is received as God's gift. Psalm 122:7 prays for this very peace and prosperity, Psalm 81:16 speaks of the same choice grain, and Leviticus 26:6 includes peace in the land among the covenant blessings.
- Psalm 147:12-14 (BSB)“Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion! For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you. He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat.”Jerusalem is called to praise for the security, blessing, peace, and plenty God gives.
- Psalm 122:7 (BSB)“May there be peace within your walls, and prosperity inside your fortresses.””Another psalm prays for peace within Jerusalem's walls and prosperity in its fortresses.
- Psalm 81:16 (BSB)“But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.””God speaks of feeding His people with the finest wheat.
- Leviticus 26:6 (BSB)“And I will give peace to the land, and you will lie down with nothing to fear. I will rid the land of dangerous animals, and no sword will pass through your land.”Peace in the land is among the blessings God promised His obedient people.
General
What does 147:2-3 say the LORD does for His scattered and hurting people?
Answer: He rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers exiles, and heals broken hearts
The LORD is pictured as both builder and healer. He builds up Jerusalem and brings home Israel's exiles, those who had been scattered far from the land (147:2). He also cares for people whose hearts are broken, treating their hurts the way someone bandages a wound (147:3). Isaiah likewise names the Lord as the One who gathers Israel's dispersed people (Isaiah 56:8). The LORD stays close to those whose hearts are broken (Psalm 34:18), and Isaiah's Spirit-anointed messenger is sent to bind up people whose hearts are broken (Isaiah 61:1).
- Psalm 147:2-3 (BSB)“The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”The LORD rebuilds His city, gathers the scattered, and heals the grieving.
- Isaiah 56:8 (BSB)“Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.””The Lord is named as the One who gathers the dispersed of Israel.
- Psalm 34:18 (BSB)“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the contrite in spirit.
- Isaiah 61:1 (BSB)“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,”The Spirit-anointed messenger is sent to bind up those whose hearts are broken, the same tender work.
Theological
What twofold work of the LORD toward His people is praised in 147:2-3?
Answer: He rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers exiles, and heals broken hearts
Verses 2-3 join a corporate and a personal work: the LORD restores Jerusalem and regathers Israel's exiles (147:2), and He heals those broken in heart, dressing their wounds (147:3). The God who restores the covenant community also attends to individual grief. Isaiah names the Lord as the gatherer of Israel's dispersed (Isaiah 56:8); the LORD stays near the grieving and rescues those humbled in spirit (Psalm 34:18); and the Spirit-anointed messenger of Isaiah 61:1 is sent to bind up those whose hearts are broken.
- Psalm 147:2-3 (BSB)“The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”The LORD rebuilds His city, gathers the scattered, and heals the grieving.
- Isaiah 56:8 (BSB)“Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.””The Lord is named as the One who gathers the dispersed of Israel.
- Psalm 34:18 (BSB)“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.”The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the contrite in spirit.
- Isaiah 61:1 (BSB)“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,”The Spirit-anointed messenger is sent to bind up those whose hearts are broken, the same tender work.
General
In 147:7-9, what does God's care over creation include?
Answer: Sending rain, growing grass, and feeding beasts and young birds
The psalm calls for thankful song with the harp (147:7) and then gives reasons from creation. God spreads clouds over the sky, prepares rain, and makes grass spring up on the hillsides. He gives animals their food and hears even the cry of young ravens (147:8-9). Nothing is too small for His care. Psalm 104:14 praises the same provision, God Himself asks Job who feeds the raven's young (Job 38:41), and Jesus pointed to the ravens that God feeds to show His disciples how much more their Father cares for them (Luke 12:24).
- Psalm 147:7-9 (BSB)“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God, who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.”A fresh call to thankful song, grounded in God's care for the earth and its creatures.
- Psalm 104:14 (BSB)“He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:”Another creation psalm praises God for making grass grow and bringing food from the earth.
- Job 38:41 (BSB)“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?”God Himself asks who provides for the raven's young when they cry out, pointing to His own care.
- Luke 12:24 (BSB)“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!”Jesus points to God's feeding of the ravens to assure His disciples of their Father's care.
Theological
What scope of God's providence is celebrated in 147:7-9?
Answer: Sending rain, growing grass, and feeding beasts and young birds
After a renewed call to thanksgiving (147:7), the psalm grounds praise in God's ordinary providence: clouds, rain, grass on the hills, food for the beasts, and even the cries of young ravens answered (147:8-9). Providence reaches the smallest creature. Psalm 104:14 praises the same sustaining work, Job 38:41 has God claim the feeding of the raven's young as His own, and Jesus argues from that care to the Father's greater care for His disciples (Luke 12:24).
- Psalm 147:7-9 (BSB)“Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God, who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.”A fresh call to thankful song, grounded in God's care for the earth and its creatures.
- Psalm 104:14 (BSB)“He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:”Another creation psalm praises God for making grass grow and bringing food from the earth.
- Job 38:41 (BSB)“Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food?”God Himself asks who provides for the raven's young when they cry out, pointing to His own care.
- Luke 12:24 (BSB)“Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds!”Jesus points to God's feeding of the ravens to assure His disciples of their Father's care.
General
In 147:15-18, what brings both the snow and frost and then the thaw?
Answer: God's command and word, sent out over the earth
God sends His command out over the earth, and His word travels quickly (147:15). He spreads snow like wool, scatters frost like ash, and throws down hail like small stones; no one can stand against the cold He sends (147:16-17). Then He sends His word again, and the ice melts, His winds blow, and the streams run again (147:18). Both winter and thaw answer to His word. Job says God commands the snow and forms ice by His breath (Job 37:6, 10), and Isaiah uses rain and snow as a picture of God's word always accomplishing His purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11).
- Psalm 147:15-18 (BSB)“He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.”God's command goes out to bring snow, frost, hail, and cold, and His word brings the thaw.
- Job 37:6 (BSB)“For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’”God speaks to the snow and rain, and they obey His command.
- Job 37:10 (BSB)“By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.”Ice and frozen waters are formed by the breath of God.
- Isaiah 55:10-11 (BSB)“For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.”Rain and snow serve as a picture of God's word accomplishing what He pleases.
Theological
What agency does 147:15-18 credit with both the onset of winter and the thaw?
Answer: God's command and word, sent out over the earth
Verses 15-18 attribute the whole cycle of cold and thaw to God's spoken word: His command runs swiftly to the earth (147:15), bringing snow, frost, and hail and a cold no one can withstand (147:16-17), and His word likewise melts them and sets the winds and waters moving (147:18). Weather is not autonomous but governed by the divine word. Job 37:6 and 37:10 ascribe snow and ice to God's command and breath, and Isaiah 55:10-11 uses rain and snow to picture the efficacy of His word.
- Psalm 147:15-18 (BSB)“He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.”God's command goes out to bring snow, frost, hail, and cold, and His word brings the thaw.
- Job 37:6 (BSB)“For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’”God speaks to the snow and rain, and they obey His command.
- Job 37:10 (BSB)“By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.”Ice and frozen waters are formed by the breath of God.
- Isaiah 55:10-11 (BSB)“For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.”Rain and snow serve as a picture of God's word accomplishing what He pleases.
General
According to 147:6, how does the LORD treat the humble and the wicked differently?
Answer: He upholds the humble and throws the wicked down low
Verse 6 sets the humble and the wicked side by side. The LORD holds up and supports the lowly, but He brings the wicked down to the ground (147:6). This reversal runs through Scripture. Hannah praised the LORD who humbles some and exalts others, raising the needy from lowly places (1 Samuel 2:7-8); Mary praised God for bringing rulers down and lifting up the humble (Luke 1:52); and James teaches that God resists the arrogant and shows favor to the lowly (James 4:6).
- Psalm 147:6 (BSB)“The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.”The LORD upholds the lowly and throws down the wicked.
- 1 Samuel 2:7-8 (BSB)“The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.”Hannah's song praises the LORD who humbles and exalts and lifts the poor from the dust.
- Luke 1:52 (BSB)“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.”Mary's song praises God for bringing down rulers and exalting the humble.
- James 4:6 (BSB)“But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.””God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Theological
What reversal of standing does 147:6 attribute to the LORD?
Answer: He upholds the humble and throws the wicked down low
Verse 6 states a principle of divine government: the LORD upholds the lowly and casts the wicked down (147:6). The same pattern of reversal appears in Hannah's song (1 Samuel 2:7-8), in Mary's song (Luke 1:52), and in James's teaching that God resists the proud and shows grace to the lowly (James 4:6). God's favor rests on those who are lowly before Him, not on the self-exalting.
- Psalm 147:6 (BSB)“The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.”The LORD upholds the lowly and throws down the wicked.
- 1 Samuel 2:7-8 (BSB)“The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He seats them among princes and bestows on them a throne of honor. For the foundations of the earth are the LORD’s, and upon them He has set the world.”Hannah's song praises the LORD who humbles and exalts and lifts the poor from the dust.
- Luke 1:52 (BSB)“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble.”Mary's song praises God for bringing down rulers and exalting the humble.
- James 4:6 (BSB)“But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.””God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
General
What does 147:10-11 say the LORD takes pleasure in?
Answer: People who revere Him and set their hope on His loving devotion
The psalm contrasts two kinds of strength. God is not impressed by the power of a warhorse or the strength of a man's legs (147:10). What pleases Him is people who fear the LORD, meaning they honor Him with reverent trust, and who set their hope on His loving devotion, His loyal, covenant-keeping love (147:11). Psalm 33:16-18 says no army or horse can save, while the LORD's eyes are on people who revere Him; Psalm 20:7 sets trust in the LORD's name against trust in horses; and Proverbs 21:31 says victory belongs to the LORD.
- Psalm 147:10-11 (BSB)“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.”God's delight is not in military or bodily strength but in reverent hope.
- Psalm 33:16-18 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion”No army or horse can save, but the LORD watches over those who fear Him and hope in His loving devotion.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”The faithful trust in the LORD's name, not in chariots and horses.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”The horse may be ready for battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
Theological
According to 147:10-11, what does the LORD delight in, over against human might?
Answer: People who revere Him and set their hope on His loving devotion
Verses 10-11 set creaturely strength, the horse and a man's legs, against the disposition God delights in: reverent fear and hope set on His loving devotion (147:10-11). God's favor rests not on human capacity but on dependent trust in His covenant faithfulness. Psalm 33:16-18 makes the identical contrast, Psalm 20:7 opposes trust in horses to trust in the LORD's name, and Proverbs 21:31 assigns victory to the LORD alone.
- Psalm 147:10-11 (BSB)“He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.”God's delight is not in military or bodily strength but in reverent hope.
- Psalm 33:16-18 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion”No army or horse can save, but the LORD watches over those who fear Him and hope in His loving devotion.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB)“Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”The faithful trust in the LORD's name, not in chariots and horses.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”The horse may be ready for battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
General
How does 147:1 describe the act of singing praise to God?
Answer: As a good and delightful thing, beautiful to offer Him
The psalm begins with Hallelujah and then gives a reason rooted in praise itself: singing to God is good, and praising Him is a pleasant and beautiful thing (147:1). Praise is not presented as a grim duty but as a delight that suits those who know Him. Other psalms speak the same way: praising the LORD and His name is good (Psalm 92:1), His goodness and the loveliness of His name call for praise (Psalm 135:3), and praise suits people who are upright (Psalm 33:1).
- Psalm 147:1 (BSB)“Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!”The psalm opens with a call to praise and a reason drawn from praise itself.
- Psalm 92:1 (BSB)“A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High,”Another psalm likewise calls praising the LORD and His name a good thing.
- Psalm 135:3 (BSB)“Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.”Praise is called for because the LORD is good and His name is lovely.
- Psalm 33:1 (BSB)“Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.”Praise is described as fitting for the upright, not a burden laid on them.
Theological
How does 147:1 characterize praise itself as the ground for the opening Hallelujah?
Answer: As a good and delightful thing, beautiful to offer Him
Psalm 147 grounds its opening summons in the worth of the act: praise of God is good, pleasant, and beautiful (147:1). Worship is framed as fitting delight rather than a burden imposed from outside. The same judgment recurs across the psalms: praising the LORD is a good thing (Psalm 92:1), His goodness and the loveliness of His name call for praise (Psalm 135:3), and praise befits the upright (Psalm 33:1).
- Psalm 147:1 (BSB)“Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!”The psalm opens with a call to praise and a reason drawn from praise itself.
- Psalm 92:1 (BSB)“A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath day. It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High,”Another psalm likewise calls praising the LORD and His name a good thing.
- Psalm 135:3 (BSB)“Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.”Praise is called for because the LORD is good and His name is lovely.
- Psalm 33:1 (BSB)“Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.”Praise is described as fitting for the upright, not a burden laid on them.
General
True or False: According to 147:4-5, the stars are too many for even God to count, so the psalm praises His power instead of His knowledge.
Answer: False
This is false. The psalm says the reverse: the LORD fixes how many stars there are and calls every one of them by its own name (147:4). The Lord is great and mighty, and His understanding knows no bounds (147:5), so the psalm praises both His power and His knowledge. Placed right after the healing of broken hearts (147:3), this shows that the God who governs the vast heavens also cares for wounded people. Isaiah uses the same picture of God leading out the stars by number and name (Isaiah 40:26), says His understanding cannot be searched out (Isaiah 40:28), and Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge (Romans 11:33).
- Psalm 147:4-5 (BSB)“He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”The God who heals the grieving also counts and names every star.
- Isaiah 40:26 (BSB)“Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”God leads out the starry host by number and calls each by name, so none is missing.
- Isaiah 40:28 (BSB)“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.”The Creator's understanding is beyond searching out, just as the psalm says.
- Romans 11:33 (BSB)“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”Paul praises the unsearchable depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
Theological
True or False: 147:4-5 sets God's might against a limit in His knowledge, since the stars exceed His reckoning.
Answer: False
This is false. Verse 4 affirms that the LORD fixes how many stars exist and names each one, and verse 5 declares His power great and His understanding without limit. Omnipotence and omniscience are praised together, and their placement beside 147:3 joins cosmic rule to pastoral care of the brokenhearted. Isaiah 40:26 and 40:28 use the same starry imagery and the same claim of unsearchable understanding, and Romans 11:33 exults in the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
- Psalm 147:4-5 (BSB)“He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”The God who heals the grieving also counts and names every star.
- Isaiah 40:26 (BSB)“Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”God leads out the starry host by number and calls each by name, so none is missing.
- Isaiah 40:28 (BSB)“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.”The Creator's understanding is beyond searching out, just as the psalm says.
- Romans 11:33 (BSB)“O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!”Paul praises the unsearchable depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
General
What privilege does 147:19-20 say Israel received that other nations had not?
Answer: God's word, along with His laws and decrees
The same God whose word commands snow and wind has declared His message to Jacob, meaning Israel's descendants, giving them His laws and rulings (147:19). He has not dealt this way with any other nation, and those nations have no knowledge of His judgments (147:20). This is election, God's free choice of Israel to be His own people. Moses stressed that it was not because Israel outnumbered other peoples, since they were the smallest of peoples, but because God loved them and kept His oath (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), and asked what nation had such righteous laws (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). Paul names being entrusted with God's words as Israel's first advantage (Romans 3:1-2) and lists the gift of the law among their privileges (Romans 9:4). It was a gift of grace, not a reward. As in Deuteronomy, this is the choosing of a nation for covenant privilege, and it follows the same pattern of grace rather than merit that the New Testament sees in God's choosing of His people in Christ.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (BSB)“He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!”The God whose word rules creation has spoken His word to Israel alone among the nations.
- Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (BSB)“For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?”Moses asks what nation has a god so near or laws so righteous as Israel.
- Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (BSB)“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”God chose Israel not because they were many but because He loved them and kept His oath.
- Romans 3:1-2 (BSB)“What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”Paul names being entrusted with the words of God as Israel's first advantage.
- Romans 9:4 (BSB)“the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.”Paul lists the giving of the law among the privileges belonging to Israel.
Theological
What distinguishing privilege of Israel does the psalm celebrate in 147:19-20?
Answer: God's word, along with His laws and decrees
The psalm moves from God's word in creation to His word in covenant: He declared His word, His statutes, and His rulings to Jacob and Israel, and has dealt so with no other nation (147:19-20). This is the national election of Israel, a covenant privilege grounded in sovereign love and God's oath rather than any merit in Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6-8), celebrated by Moses as unmatched nearness and righteous law (Deuteronomy 4:7-8). Paul likewise names being entrusted with God's words as Israel's first advantage (Romans 3:1-2) and the gift of the law among their privileges (Romans 9:4). This national covenant privilege follows the same grace-not-merit pattern as God's election of His people in Christ.
- Psalm 147:19-20 (BSB)“He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!”The God whose word rules creation has spoken His word to Israel alone among the nations.
- Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (BSB)“For what nation is great enough to have a god as near to them as the LORD our God is to us whenever we call on Him? And what nation is great enough to have righteous statutes and ordinances like this entire law I set before you today?”Moses asks what nation has a god so near or laws so righteous as Israel.
- Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (BSB)“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.”God chose Israel not because they were many but because He loved them and kept His oath.
- Romans 3:1-2 (BSB)“What, then, is the advantage of being a Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.”Paul names being entrusted with the words of God as Israel's first advantage.
- Romans 9:4 (BSB)“the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.”Paul lists the giving of the law among the privileges belonging to Israel.