Psalms 147:1-6 - Homilies By C. Short

Jehovah the infinitely Mighty and Omniscient One, in the creation and in the human world, worthy, therefore, of all praise and worship.

"Celebrates God's almighty and gracious rule over his people, and over the world of nature, but mingles with this a special commemoration of his goodness in bringing back his people from their captivity, and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem."

I. GOD IS ALMIGHTY IN THE WORK OF THE MATERIAL UNIVERSE .

1. He created the heavenly worlds . ( Isaiah 40:26 .)

2. He has a perfect knowledge of them . ( Psalms 147:4 .) He knows all the innumerable multitude: "telleth the number of the stars." And knows each one of them in particular: "and calleth them all by their names." "Not one faileth." God is great in power, and great in knowledge; "there is no searching of his understanding." The inference from all this is only suggested, not stated.

II. GOD IS ALL - GOOD AS WELL AS ALMIGHTY AND OMNISCIENT . ( Psalms 147:2 , Psalms 147:3 , Psalms 147:6 .) He must know and be able to succor human woe to whom it is an easy thing to create and count and guide the stars.

1. He can recover from slavery and restore to freedom . ( Psalms 147:2 .) Those who have been taken captive, and dispersed abroad. Slaves are those fit for slavery.

2. He can restore men from the depths of suffering and despair . ( Psalms 147:3 .) The broken in heart, and most deeply wounded.

3. God ' s justice is perfect in its retributive work . ( Psalms 147:6 .) He exalts the righteous above their afflictions, and casts down the prosperous wicked.—S.