Psalms 147
Psalm 147
1. Praise Jah
Several Psalms open with the call to praise Jah; not because He needs our praise, or is in some way dependant upon the admiration and approval of mere mortals, but because the very expression of praise develops a believer's understanding and appreciation of the Almighty Jah. Praise also acts as a lesson to hearers, most of whom are unaware of the Almighty's love, His willingness to help and His generous offer of eternal life, through His only begotten Ben (Son), Jahoshuwah. In other words, we praise the Most High as a form of thankfulness and as a testimony to others in need of salvation.
Verse 1 - Praise ye JAH: For it is good to sing praises unto our Maker; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2. Jah's Works
The Most High is a worker, His Ben is a worker, and every true believer ought to be a worker too. The most important work Jah is engaged in is specified in this Psalm. It is the work of salvation!
Verse 2-3 - Jah doth build up Jahoshalem (Jerusalem): he gathereth together the outcasts of Jahzrael (Israel). 3: He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Note: Bear in mind that this psalm was written before the Babylonian captivity; before Jahoshalem had been leveled to the ground. It portrays Jah's work on His spiritual capital. It represents His overall involvement with His subjects, their welfare and their future. Jah doth (present tense) build Jahoshalem. And part of that work is to: `Heal the broken hearted and bind up the spiritually wounded.'
3. Jah's Knowledge / Power
Though simultaneously performing countless millions of physical and spiritual operations throughout the mighty universe, the Almighty Jah is nevertheless keenly interested in the personal progress and welfare of every member of the human race. His knowledge and power is measureless and breath taking.
Verse 4-5 - He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. 5: Great is our Adonay, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
4. Jah's Other Activities
Verse 8-9 - Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. 9: He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
In other words, all the while JAH The Holy One of Jahzrael is building Zijon (His Assembly, His wife) and overseeing the lives of countless millions of humans and angels; controlling the climate and catering to the individual needs of innumerable creatures on this planet and throughout the heavens. Here indeed is awesome power, endless involvement and matchless love.
5. Jah's Characteristics
Though of infinite worth and virtually infinite goodness, the Most High is a very humble Being. Because of His humility, we may be sure that there are traits in His character, His ability and His worth, which He has not revealed to anyone. This is typical of all humble people. They do not proclaim their own worth and achievements: if anything they play them down. Jah's esteem for the trait of humility must, therefore, mean that He is infinitely better than we can imagine. His abhorrence of pride makes this fact obvious.
His Love of Meekness
Verse 6 - JAH lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
His Priorities
Verse 10 - He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
In a world obsessed with physical power and speed (symbolized by the war horse) and by beauty (symbolized by the legs of a man or woman) this verse focuses on three human reactions the Almighty values: - meekness, faith and repentance. Is this not an encouraging verse? Does it not open the Gate of Hope to all of us? It surely does. Indeed it is the heart of this psalm, the key verse for every forlorn sinner who may be tempted to think that all is lost and that there is no hope for him or her.
This is the Jahspel (Gospel) verse. It tells us that we may all - at any time - approach the Most High. For, even though He has many engagements, He is still available and eager to meet the sinner's need for forgiveness. He lifteth up the meek.
His Joys
Verse 11 - JAH taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Yes, believe it or not, you and I can bring pleasure to the Almighty's heart. We can gladden Him by our faith, our willingness to avail ourselves of His mercy and by opening up our hearts to Him. All this is within the power of the lowliest soul on earth. Oh what an amazing part we can occupy in the heart of Jah!
6. Jah's Blessing
The Holy One of Jahzrael is an extremely generous person. His love goes way beyond His mercy - which itself is a beautiful trait - into the arena of blessing. We use the word blessing because it means a 'bounteous bestowal of all things that are good.' Note the extent of Jah's blessing on His people (symbolized by Zijon in Jahoshalem).
Verse 12-13 - Praise Jah, O Jahoshalem; praise thy Jah, O Zijon (Zion). 13: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
In other words He has re-enforced the defenses of His people - our minds and our souls. He has given us confidence and strength against doubt and fear. Countless believers can testify to the truth of this statement. Yes, the Almighty Jah of Jahzrael certainly blesses the offspring of the saved.
Verse 14 - He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat
Mankind desperately wants Peace, but alas! Politicians and people alike don't seem to realize that peace is a spiritual product, which Jah alone can produce in a person or nation. It begins in the individual's heart, spreads to the family, overflows to the community and influences everyone with whom we come in contact.
He maketh peace in thy borders.
7. Jah's Law
Second only to the gift of Jahoshuwah the Messijah (Messiah), comes the gift of Jah's Law. This priceless possession is given to Jahcob (Jahzrael), the one who wrestled with Jah and won His blessing.
Verse 19-20 - He sheweth his word unto Jahcob, his statutes and his judgments unto Jahzrael. 20: He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye JAH.
Every believer is included in that verse, because like Jahcob everyone who wrestles with Jah, everyone who accepts Jahoshawah the Messijah by faith is a Jahzraelite (Israelite). This is a unique privilege in the Commonwealth of Nations.
Galatians 3:7 - Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Verse 29 - And if ye be the Messijah's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 2:29 - But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Jah.
An understanding of Jah's law and the spiritual power necessary to keep it is - second to the gift of Jahoshawah - the greatest gift Jah has given mankind. If you have faith in the Saviour, this great gift can be yours, no matter which nation you come from.
Acts 10:35 - But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Praise ye JAH!
The Mount Zion Assembly of Jah
5 Kanarick Crescent
Toronto, Ontario M3L 1P3 Canada
647-231-9466
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