Psalm 147
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Psalm 147: 4:
He tells the number of the stars; he calls them all by their names. |
The Psalmnist, by placing in striking contrast the infinitely great and infinitely little, brings out, in the most effective way possible, the providence of God as at once comprehensive enough to superintend the interests of the collective, and kindly and careful enough not to neglect the smallest individual. While His omniscient eye numbers the innumerable stars, His gentle touch heals the broken heart. While His spoken word holds the glistening planets to their spheres, His tender hand binds up our bleeding wounds. These are old thoughts and the imaginings of ancient Hebrew men, who little dreamed of the strange secret hidden in the earth beneath their feet, or in the heaven above their heads; but, though between their day and ours lie centuries crowded with the most splendid discoveries man had made, yet neither science nor philosophy has ever proclaimed a truth that can match in sublimity, equal in beauty, or rival in its wealth of eternal human interest.
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Psalm 147:10-11:
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. |
What does the fear of the Lord mean? When you consider the awesomeness and wonder of God, fearing the Lord is a normal response. It is an attitude of respect that acknowledges God’s identity as the Maker and Master Architect of life and history. A note in Zondervan’s NIV 2002 Study Bible says the fear of the Lord is “a loving reverence for God that includes submission to His lordship in all things and to the commands of His Word.”
One of the problems people seem to have with fearing the Lord is the sad reality that we don’t seem to think much about the awe and majesty of God. The crunch of life is so oppressive. It consumes so much mental activity that people fail to pause and consider the magnificence of God’s creation. The average day is so full we don’t stop long enough to consider anything other than the overwhelming tasks right in front of our faces. --The Pathway 
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It is a good thing to be learned and wise, and the more you can cultivate your minds, the better, but remember the words of the Apostle—”Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.” And, oftentimes, the wisdom which is merely that of the mind may even prove like scales upon the spiritual eyes, hiding from the soul the blessed sight which alone can save it! It is true mentally as well as physically, that the Lord takes no pleasure in any of the faculties which a man possesses if he is destitute of Grace.
Another thing in which the Lord takes no pleasure is that self-reliance which is much cried up nowadays. This is only another form of “the strength of the horse” and “the legs of a man.” Some persons proudly say that they are self-made men—and I generally find that they worship their makers. Having made themselves, they are peculiarly devoted to themselves. But a man who is self-made is badly made! If God does not make him anew, it would have been better for him never to have been made!
That which comes of man is but a polluted stream from an impure source—out of evil comes evil, and from a depraved nature comes depravity. It is only when God makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus that it is any joy for us to be creatures at all! And all the praise must be given to Him. “It is He that has made us, and not we ourselves,” if this day, “we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Therefore, although you should exercise every faculty that you possess and push with might and main in the battle of life, do not rely on yourself.
It is foolish to worship a god of wood, or of stone. It is equally foolish to worship a god of flesh. And it is mostfool-ish when that god of flesh is yourself! Worship the Lord, trust in God—”Trust in Him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before Him.” “Cursed is the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” The Lord takes not pleasure in the boastful self-dependence wherein some glory. Nor, dear Friends, do I think that God takes pleasure in any mere capacity for service which exists in any of us, whoever we may be.
“The strength of the horse” and, “the legs of a man” do but set forth what I now intend to speak of. Suppose a man is a child of God and a preacher of the Word—and that he possesses peculiar gifts to set forth the Truth of God—let him not, therefore, exalt himself, for in mere capacity, even though it is the capacity to preach the Gospel, God takes no pleasure! A preacher has a talent which brings with it great responsibility—it will not be a blessing bringing a reward unless Grace is given to him to use it to his Lord’s Glory! (source)
Another thing in which the Lord takes no pleasure is that self-reliance which is much cried up nowadays. This is only another form of “the strength of the horse” and “the legs of a man.” Some persons proudly say that they are self-made men—and I generally find that they worship their makers. Having made themselves, they are peculiarly devoted to themselves. But a man who is self-made is badly made! If God does not make him anew, it would have been better for him never to have been made!
That which comes of man is but a polluted stream from an impure source—out of evil comes evil, and from a depraved nature comes depravity. It is only when God makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus that it is any joy for us to be creatures at all! And all the praise must be given to Him. “It is He that has made us, and not we ourselves,” if this day, “we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.” Therefore, although you should exercise every faculty that you possess and push with might and main in the battle of life, do not rely on yourself.
It is foolish to worship a god of wood, or of stone. It is equally foolish to worship a god of flesh. And it is mostfool-ish when that god of flesh is yourself! Worship the Lord, trust in God—”Trust in Him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before Him.” “Cursed is the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good comes; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Blessed is the man that trusts in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” The Lord takes not pleasure in the boastful self-dependence wherein some glory. Nor, dear Friends, do I think that God takes pleasure in any mere capacity for service which exists in any of us, whoever we may be.
“The strength of the horse” and, “the legs of a man” do but set forth what I now intend to speak of. Suppose a man is a child of God and a preacher of the Word—and that he possesses peculiar gifts to set forth the Truth of God—let him not, therefore, exalt himself, for in mere capacity, even though it is the capacity to preach the Gospel, God takes no pleasure! A preacher has a talent which brings with it great responsibility—it will not be a blessing bringing a reward unless Grace is given to him to use it to his Lord’s Glory! (source)
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Psalm 147:14:
He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. |
 Thomas Watson
"Give us this day our daily bread." The good things of this life are the gifts of God; he is the donor of all our blessings. "Give us." Not faith only—but food is the gift of God; not daily grace only is from God—but "daily bread." Every good thing comes from God. "Every good gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights." James 1:17. Wisdom is the gift of God. "His God instructs him to discretion." Isaiah 28:26. Riches are the gift of God. "I will give you riches." 2 Chron 1:12. Peace is the gift of God. "He makes peace in your borders." Psalm 147:14. Health, which is the cream of life, is the gift of God. "I will restore health unto you." Jer 30:17. Rain is the gift of God. "Who gives rain upon the earth." Job 5:10. All comes from God; he makes the grain to grow, and the herbs to flourish
― Thomas Watson, The Lord's Prayer |
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Psalm 147:18:
He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. |
We, as humans, tend to put a protective "icy" coating around ourselves so that no one can see the real us. Very few people ever really get close to us. For many, however, God sends His Word and melts that “coating” which allows the wind to blow and the water to flow from us. One word from God, through a friend, a book, or a thought, melts away that cold image. Thank God for warm winds over frozen places.
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