Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 147

The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the LORD! (Hebrew haleluyah).

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.

This verse is a call to worship.

The psalmist remembers how the Lord restored Jerusalem and brought back his people who had suffered in exile.

• 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.

God delivers justice to both the poor and the wicked (Psalms 55:22; 140:12; 145:14; 146:7).

Human achievements do not impress God, who commands nature. Instead, he finds joy in those who fear him.

God has complete authority and power over the weather (Psalms 77:17–18; 78:26; 104:4; 148:5–6).

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).

• 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).

Simply by speaking his command, the Lord can change the season from harsh winter to refreshing spring (see Psalms 147:8; 148:5–6).

word … statutes … judgments: The Lord gave powerful words to Israel so that they might obey him (Psalm 105:45).