詩篇第一四七篇的確是最令人愉快的詩篇之一。它裡面沒有抱怨，也沒有任何懇求。它是一篇純粹讚美耶和華的詩篇。由於參照耶路撒冷的建立（2、13、14節），它可能是寫於餘民從放逐回轉耶路撒冷之後（就像一般以為讚美詩篇著成之時）。這些詩篇都用於耶城城牆落成典禮中（尼12：27）。

        詩篇鼓勵耶和華的百姓讚美祂，因為這樣的讚美是好的、愉快的、及美麗的。這篇詩篇強調上帝的良善、無所不能、及照顧，所以祂當受讚美。上帝有無限的智慧和悟性。祂不僅創造了所有的星辰，而且祂甚至知道這些星辰的數目，以及每顆星辰的名字。即使利用我們現代的科技，科學家們也不能看見所有的星辰，不能數算它們。祇有無限的上帝才知道宇宙有多廣大。祇有祂才能維持及照顧祂的受造物（第8~9節；16~18節）。環境主義者不能要求上帝給予幫助，因為祂就是控制環境的人（第15節）。然而即使祂是宇宙的統治者，祂仍然關心祂所造的人類。也醫治他們受了創傷的心靈，及包紮他們身上的外傷。祇有這位偉大的醫生才能醫治人的靈魂。

        耶和華不喜歡力氣、速度、及美貌（第10節）。祂想到祂所造的人表現謙卑的模樣（第6節）。祂喜歡他們喜愛祂、尊敬祂、順從祂、及尊敬祂（都可以用聖經名詞「敬畏」一字來表達），以及對祂有盼望（第11節）。這樣做的意思就是他們已經信靠祂，因為祂會拯救他們。上帝對人類的最大慈愛就是差遣祂的獨生愛子，我們的主耶穌臨世救人。人類的希望祇有建立在祂的身上。如果我們不能信靠祂，我們就會在上帝的面前遭受懲罰。祇有藉著耶穌基督，我們的罪才能得到救贖，並且在上帝的眼中成為義人。

        第一四七篇的下半段是描述上帝如何看顧祂住在耶城中的百姓。我們今天的人可以了解，所有的人藉著在耶穌裡面的信心就可以成為錫安的市民（弗2：19）。上帝不僅會保護他們，加添他們的力量，而且也賜給他們福氣和平安。

        正如詩人所表示，上帝的確對古代的以色列恩寵有加，祂揀選他們作為聖經的領受者。那是一項奇妙的特權。有了特權，繼之而來的就是責任，也即作為上帝的器皿，好使世人聽到上帝的慈愛和審判。一想到上帝揀選以色列人的事，詩人就高唱「哈利路亞」作為結束。我們今天也同樣地渴望上帝揀選我們作為祂的百姓。讓我們大家在一起來高唱「哈利路亞！」

        哦，主啊，每一篇詩篇都提醒我們，您是莊嚴的全能的上帝。我們與詩人同感驚奇，雖然您是我們宇宙的偉大創造主，您叫我們做您的兒女，並且關心我們每個人。我們今天讚美您，並且求您賜給我們智慧，好將您的真理傳給別人。奉主耶穌基督聖名，阿們！

English

        Psalm 147 is truly one of the most pleasant psalms. It has no words of complaint nor any petitions. It is purely a song of praise to the Lord. Because of the references to the building up of Jerusalem (vv. 2, 13-14), it is possible that this psalm was composed after the return from the Exile (as is generally thought of the whole collection of Hallelujah Psalms). They may have been used on the occasion of the dedication of the city wall (Neh. 12:27).

        The psalmist encourages the people of the Lord to praise Him, for doing so is good, pleasant, and beautiful. The psalm emphasizes the goodness, omnipotence, and providential care of God for which He deserves to be praised. God has infinite wisdom and understanding. He not only created all the stars, but He even knows their number and their individual names. Even with our modern technology, scientists have not been able to see all the stars nor can they be numbered. Only the infinite God knows the vastness of the universe. Only He can sustain and care for His creation (vv. 8-9; 16-18). Environmentalists would do well to ask the Lord for His help since He is the One in ultimate control (v. 15). Yet, even though he is the Sovereign Ruler of the universe, He is still concerned about mere man. He heals their broken hearts and binds their wounds. Only the Great Physician can bring healing to the soul and the inner man. Those who have experienced His inner healing have good reason to sing praises and thanksgiving unto the Lord.

        The Lord is not impressed with strength, speed, or beauty (v.10), He desires to see humility in the people He has created (v.6). He desires that they love, respect, obey, and reverence Him (all implied in the biblical term "fear"), and also that they put their "hope in His mercy" (v.ll). To do this means that they have trusted in Him for His gift of salvation. The greatest mercy of God to mankind was in sending His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus. Mankind's hope is only found in Him. If we do not believe in Him, we will stand condemned before God. Only through Jesus do we receive atonement for our sins and are made righteous in the sight of God.

        The last half of Psalm 147 celebrates God's providential care of His own people who dwell within the city of Jerusalem. It can be understood today as being all those who by faith in Jesus have become citizens of Zion (Eph. 2:19). To them, God gives protection, strength, blessings, and peace.

        As the psalmist expressed, God was truly gracious to the ancient Israelites. He chose them to be the recipients of His Holy Word. That was a wonderful privilege. With it came a great responsibility, namely, to be instruments whereby the whole world was to hear of the mercies and judgments of God. Contemplating upon the thought of Israel's election by God, causes the psalmist to close with a loud "hallelujah". We today must be equally enthusiastic with being chosen by God to be His people. Let us also shout hallelujah!

        Each psalm we read, oh Lord, reminds us of Your majesty and power. We marvel with the psalmist over the fact that though You are the great Creator of our vast universe, You call us Your children and are intimately concerned for us as individuals. We praise You today for Your goodness to us and ask for the wisdom to communicate this truth to others.