| Psalms 147-150 v. 1 to sing praises – "to praise-sing" v. 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem –This psalm probably was composed in the time when the exiles returned from Babylon under Esra and Nehemiah. The city had been destroyed two generations earlier. Now it was being rebuilt. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel – the Jews returning from exile v. 3 heals the brokenhearted – While referring specifically to the returning exiles, this verse is a universal declaration of how God's love and grace can heal any heart broken by trauma or sin. v. 4 He counts the number of the stars – This statement is meant both literally and as a reference to His intimate knowledge of each of the children of Abraham. Genesis 15, records how God called Abraham outside his tent to look at the night sky in the desert "and said, 'Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.' And He said to him, 'So shall your descendants be'" (Gen 15:5). v. 5 His understanding is infinite – His wisdom has no "limits" (literally: number). God can count the stars but His thoughts none can calculate. v. 8 who covers the heavens with clouds – The poet's gaze moves from the starry heavens to the sky and then the earth, which He gifts with rain, providing food for all creatures in His care (v. 9). v. 10 does not delight – This verse marks a turning point in the psalm. The psalmist focuses on particular things in nature relating to the fate of the nations, the war horse and the warrior. This moves the song back to the historical situation of Israel: her return from exile was not accomplished by great military feats but by God acting on her behalf. v. 12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem…your God, O Zion! – The poet urges the restored city to shout out God's praises! v. 13 the bars of your gates – The city is no longer naked to attack; her walls are secure and her gates strong (compare this with the narrative of the rebuilding of the city walls under Nehemiah). Children run through her streets, where once enemy armies had rampaged, looted and raped. v. 15 He sends out His command – Verses 15-20 tie together God's absolute rule of nature (v. 15-18) and His rule over the destiny of peoples and nations (v. 19-20). v. 19 declares His word to Jacob – He has given His special revelation by speaking to Israel: "He tells His Word to Jacob." v. 20 He has not dealt – Israel has a special place in God's economy; His Word, His "Torah," makes her special and unique. Psalm 148 This psalm paints the glory of God on a cosmic canvas, starting with an image of the celestial court – the angels and the heavenly host – and then moving to the starry heavens and down to the earth and humankind. All things bright and beautiful are urged to join together in praising God. v. 2 angels…hosts – Not the little fat-cheeked rosy babies in baroque paintings, but the supreme ambassadors and warriors who carry out God's bidding. v. 3 Praise Him, sun and moon – This verse begins a depiction of the creation account from Gen. 1: sun, moon and stars (v. 3); the highest heavens and waters beyond the sky (v. 4); the sea monsters and deep places (v. 7); the manifestations of the weather and seasons (v. 8); the land and its riches (v. 9); wild beasts and domestic livestock, "crawling things" and flying birds (v. 10), and, finally, all of humankind from the greatest to the smallest (v. 11-12)…all are to "praise the Lord"! v. 13 His glory is above the earth and heaven – Compared to God's superlative excellence, nothing in creation is worth placing next to Him. v. 14 He has exalted the horn of His people – This very God, Maker of all things, has taken personal interest in His chosen people, who are "near" to Him. He is "the praise of all His saints," He and no other. Psalm 149 This little song, the fifth of the "Hallelujah" psalms that conclude the Psalter, calls God's people to a continuing life of fresh and joyous praise. The occasion was probably a military victory over the enemies of Israel (v. 6-9). v. 1 in the assembly of saints – To be sung when the faithful gather together in the Temple. v. 2 Maker…King – Actually, the second noun is plural, "kings" – probably a oblique way of referring both to the anointed ruler and to God as the eternal sovereign. v. 3 dance…sing praises…with the timbrel and harp – The joyous dance celebrating God's deliverance of His people from their enemies has a very ancient tradition in Israel; Miriam, the sister of Moses, was the prototypical praise dancer in Israel (Ex. 15:1-21). v. 4 beautify – to adorn or crown (Heb.) Salvation was not meant in a narrow sense of "saving your soul for heaven" but includes military victory and prosperity here and now v. 5 Let them sing aloud on their beds – Probably not a "good night" song but rather the continuation of their praise through the night. v. 6 high praises of God be in their mouth – pictures the warriors of Israel marching out to battle, sword in hand, praise in their mouths v. 7 to execute vengeance on the nations – The message of the Bible is very clear: His people will ultimately judge the nations. v. 8 To bind their kings with chains – handcuffs fetters of iron – neck or foot irons v. 9 the written judgment – Probably the judgment that is promised to God's people in Deuteronomy if they are obedient to God's covenant (Deut. 28:1-12). Psalm 150 This little psalm, the last of the six "Hallelujah" songs concluding the Psalter, begins and ends with a call to praise the Lord for all He does for His creation and His people. The word "praise" (halel, Heb.) is repeated in every phrase of the psalm (a total of 10 times). v. 1 in His sanctuary…in His mighty firmament – The Temple below and the corresponding "Temple" of the heavens above. v. 2 according to – "in keeping with" v. 3 with the sound of the trumpet – lists the praise instruments of the Temple musicians. the sound of the trumpet – i.e. the blast of the shofar, the ram's horn. v. 5 loud cymbals…clashing cymbals – Probably the same instrument being used to create two different sounds. v. 6 everything that has breath – The book of psalms concludes with a universal call to all creation to recognize and proclaim God's glory and greatness. Hallelujah! | 
