Psa 147 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-11 Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely; it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. He gathers outcast sinners by his grace, and will bring them into his holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, he speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let others praise him also. Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is a dept that can never be fathomed. And while he telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear the broken-hearted sinner. While he feeds the young ravens, he will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, therefore no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist delights not in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.

‏ Psalms 147

* The people of God are exhorted to praise him for his mercies

and care. (1-11) For the salvation and prosperity of the church.

(12-20)1-11 Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely;

it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in

covenant with God. He gathers outcast sinners by his grace, and

will bring them into his holy habitation. To those whom God

heals with the consolations of his Spirit, he speaks peace,

assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let others

praise him also. Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's

knowledge is a dept that can never be fathomed. And while he

telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear the

broken-hearted sinner. While he feeds the young ravens, he will

not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and

melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, therefore no

fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from

clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield

the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist delights not

in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and

suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We

are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under

the gracious influences of hope and fear united. 12-20 The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved

by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise

him for all the benefits and blessings vouchsafed to her; and

these are represented by his favours in the course of nature.

The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the

thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to

the wind, #Joh 3:8|. Converting grace softens the heart that was

hard frozen, and melts it into tears of repentance, and makes

good reflections to flow, which before were chilled and stopped

up. The change which the thaw makes is very evident, yet how it

is done no one can say. Such is the change wrought in the

conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to

melt it and restore it to itself