Psalm-147
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this
site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication
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Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations
of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and
history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations or
(additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected
like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following two
truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2.
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(Based on JPS-1917 version
of the Tanakh).
With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction
to Psalm 147: The Song of the Great Physician.
Psalm 147 is a masterpiece
of contrast. It is one of the final five songs in the Psalter often called the הַלְלוּ-יָהּ - “HalleluYah Psalms”, because
they all begin and end with that joyous shout of praise. What makes this
specific Psalm so special for us today is how it bridges the gap between the ‘immense’
and the ‘intimate’. It asks us to look at the world in two ways:
1. The Great Architect: We see אֱלֹהִים - Elohim who is so
powerful that He keeps a census of the stars, naming every single one as if
they were His children. He controls the ‘snow’, ‘the frost’, and the ‘winds’.
2. The Gentle Healer: In the very same breath, the Psalmist shows us a אֱלֹהִים – Elohim
(God) who isn't looking for ‘strong legs’ or ‘mighty horses’; No He is looking
for the broken-hearted. He is a אֱלֹהִים - Elohim who ‘binds up
wounds’ a term used for a physician carefully wrapping a bandage around an
injury.
As we reflect on this Psalm, you might think of it as a ‘Song of Divine Reliability’. It suggests that the same hand that holds the universe together, it is the hand that sustains us all through your seasons of life. It tells us that while our own strength may fade, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s delight is not found in our physical vigour, but in the quiet hope we place in His ‘unfailing love’. It is a song meant to remind us that no one is too small to be noticed, and no sorrow is too deep to be healed.
Once again let us read this blessed Psalm, and I know we will gain much from it!
1. “הַלְלוּ-יָהּ -
Hallelujah;
for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is
comely.
2. The LORD doth build up Jerusalem, He gathereth together the dispersed of Israel;
3. Who healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4. He counteth the number of the stars; He giveth them all their names.
5. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
6. The LORD upholdeth the humble; He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.
7. Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving, sing praises upon the harp unto our God;
8. Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth
rain for the earth,
who maketh the mountains to spring with grass.
9. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse; He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that wait for His mercy.
12. Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13. For He hath made strong the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.
14. He maketh thy borders peace; He giveth thee in plenty the fat of wheat.
15. He sendeth out His commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly.
16. He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
17. He casteth forth His ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold?
18. He sendeth forth His word, and melteth them; He causeth His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19. He declareth His word unto Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances unto Israel.
20. He hath not dealt so with any nation; and as for His ordinances, they have not known them. Hallelujah”.
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Once again let us read the delightful ‘verse by
verse’ commentary
Verse 1: The Invitation to Praise:
The Psalm begins with a simple call: ‘Praise
the Lord!’ It reminds us that singing praises isn't just a duty; it is ‘good’
and ‘pleasant’. It lifts the spirit.
Verses 2-3: The Healer of Broken Hearts:
These are some of the most comforting lines in
the Tanakh. It describes אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim as a builder who gathers those who have been cast out. Most importantly,
it says ‘He heals the brokenhearted and binds up
their wounds’. It portrays אֱלֹהִים not as a distant king, but
as a gentle physician.
Verses 4-5: The Master of the Stars:
Immediately after talking about our small,
personal wounds, the Psalmist looks at the night sky. He says אֱלֹהִים ‘determines
the number of the stars and calls them each by name’. The message is clear: The same power that manages the entire universe is the power used
to care for you!
Verse 6: Sustaining the Humble:
אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim lifts up those who are humble and gentle, while ensuring that pride and
wickedness do not have the final word.
Verses 7-9: The Provider of Nature:
Here, we see אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
as the Great Provider. He covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the
earth, and makes grass grow on the hills. He even feeds the young ravens when
they call out. It suggests that if He cares for the birds and the grass, He will
surely care for us.
Verses 10-11: What Delights יְהוָה - the Lord:
The Psalmist notes that אֱלֹהִים is not impressed by ‘the
strength of the horse’ or ‘the legs of a man’, meaning human might or physical
speed. Instead, ‘the Lord delights in those who fear Him and put their hope
in His unfailing love’.
Verses 12-14: Peace and Security:
The focus shifts to the community. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
strengthens the gates, blesses the children, and grants ‘peace to your borders’.
He fills His people with the ‘finest of wheat’, symbolizing abundance and safety.
Verses 15-18: The Power of His Word:
These verses describe ‘winter’, ‘snow like woo’l, ‘frost like ashes’, and ‘ice like morsels’. But with
just a "word" from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
the ice melts and the waters flow again. It shows that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s
word has the power to change the very atmosphere around us.
Verses 19-20: A Special Relationship:
This Psalm concludes by noting that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
has revealed His laws and His word uniquely to His people. It ends exactly how
it began: הַלְלוּ-יָהּ - ‘Praise the Lord’.
My Closing
thoughts:
I am sure some of you may
well have seen some season, with times of ‘cold or warmer weathers’ and times
of ‘flowing water’ even floods. Psalm 147 is a reminder that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
who names the billions of stars in the heavens is the same אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
who is intimately aware of your life.
Even when our physical sight grows dim, the Psalmist suggests that we can ‘see’ אֱלֹהִים - Elohim through His works: in the rain, in the provision of food, and in the healing of our internal sorrows. It is a song of deep security, reminding us that our hope is best placed in His ‘unfailing love’ rather than our own strength.
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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following via several of our prophets...
“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!
אֲנִי
יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem;
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign
between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
- the LORD your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as
follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”
For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim,
Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
He
is the one who gave us our Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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