mh_parser/scraps/chapter_Ps_147_1-Ps_147_20.html

<p class="tab-1">This is another psalm of praise. Some think it was penned after the return of the Jews from their captivity; but it is so much of a piece with <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.145.1-Ps.145.21" href="/passage/?search=Ps.145.1-Ps.145.21">Ps. 145:1-21</a> that I rather think it was penned by David, and what is said (<a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.2,Ps.147.13" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.2,Ps.147.13"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.2">Ps. 147:2</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.13">13</span></a>) may well enough be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in his time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul’s time. The Septuagint divides it into two; and we may divide it into the first and second part, but both of the same import. I. We are called upon to praise God, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.1,Ps.147.7,Ps.147.12" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.1,Ps.147.7,Ps.147.12"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.1">Ps. 147:1</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.7">7</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.12">12</span></a>. II. We are furnished with matter for praise, for God is to be glorified, 1. As the God of nature, and so he is very great, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.4,Ps.147.5,Ps.147.8,Ps.147.9,Ps.147.15-Ps.147.18" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.4,Ps.147.5,Ps.147.8,Ps.147.9,Ps.147.15-Ps.147.18"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.4">Ps. 147:4</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.5">5</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.8">8</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.9">9</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.15-Ps.147.18">15-18</span></a>. 2. As the God of grace, comforting his people, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.3,Ps.147.6,Ps.147.10,Ps.147.11" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.3,Ps.147.6,Ps.147.10,Ps.147.11"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.3">Ps. 147:3</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.6">6</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.10">10</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.11">11</span></a>. 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, settling their civil state (<a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.2,Ps.147.13,Ps.147.14" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.2,Ps.147.13,Ps.147.14"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.2">Ps. 147:2</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.13">13</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.14">14</span></a>), and especially settling religion among them, <a class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.19,Ps.147.20" href="/passage/?search=Ps.147.19,Ps.147.20"><span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.19">Ps. 147:19</span>, <span class="bibleref" title="Ps.147.20">20</span></a>. It is easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it to ourselves, both as to personal and national mercies, were it but as easy to do so with suitable affections.</p>