Psalm 147:2 - It is Good to Sing Praises

Audio Bible

Context

It is Good to Sing Praises
1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him! 2The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. 3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.…

Cross References

Isaiah 61:1
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners,Nehemiah 1:9
but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’Jeremiah 31:10
Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.Ezekiel 34:12-13
As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. / I will bring them out from the peoples, gather them from the countries, and bring them into their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines, and in all the settlements of the land.Isaiah 11:12
He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will collect the scattered of Judah from the four corners of the earth.Zechariah 10:6
I will strengthen the house of Judah and save the house of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them, and they will be as though I had not rejected them. For I am the LORD their God, and I will answer them.Isaiah 56:8
Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.”Jeremiah 23:3
Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock from all the lands to which I have banished them, and I will return them to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and multiply.Ezekiel 11:17
Therefore declare that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you from the countries to which you have been scattered, and I will give back to you the land of Israel.’Isaiah 49:5-6
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, that Israel might be gathered to Him—for I am honored in the sight of the LORD, and My God is My strength— / He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!John 11:52
and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one.Ephesians 2:19-22
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, / built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ...1 Peter 2:4-5
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.Acts 15:16-17
‘After this I will return and rebuild the fallen tent of David. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, / so that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does these things

Psalm 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 102:13-16
Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come…

Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

he

Psalm 102:20-22
To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to loose those that are appointed to death; …

Deuteronomy 30:3
That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

Ezra 2:64,65
The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore, …

Jump to Previous

Jump to Next

Psalm 147

The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
This phrase highlights God's active role in the restoration and strengthening of Jerusalem. Historically, Jerusalem has been the center of Jewish worship and identity, especially after King David established it as the capital. The rebuilding of Jerusalem is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, particularly after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah and Ezra are key figures associated with the physical and spiritual rebuilding of the city. Theologically, this phrase underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant people. Jerusalem is often seen as a type of the heavenly city, representing God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. Prophecies in Isaiah and Zechariah also speak of a future time when Jerusalem will be exalted and central to God's kingdom.

He gathers the exiles of Israel.
This phrase refers to the return of the Jewish people from exile, a significant event in Israel's history. The Babylonian exile was a period of great suffering and loss, but it was also a time of purification and renewal. The gathering of exiles is a fulfillment of God's promises through prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, who spoke of a return to the land and a renewed relationship with God. This gathering is not only a physical return but also a spiritual restoration. In a broader sense, it foreshadows the gathering of God's people from all nations, as seen in the New Testament. Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, speaks of gathering His flock, which includes both Jews and Gentiles, into one fold. This gathering is a picture of the ultimate redemption and unity found in Christ.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is actively involved in the restoration and rebuilding of His people.

2. Jerusalem
The central city of worship and the political and spiritual heart of Israel, symbolizing God's presence and His people's unity.

3. Exiles of Israel
The Israelites who were scattered due to conquest and captivity, representing those who are distant from God and in need of restoration.

Teaching Points

God as the Master Builder
God is actively involved in the restoration of His people. Just as He rebuilt Jerusalem, He is at work in our lives, restoring and renewing us.

The Importance of Community
The gathering of exiles highlights the significance of community and unity among believers. We are called to support and encourage one another as part of God's family.

Hope for the Displaced
Just as God gathered the exiles, He offers hope and restoration to those who feel lost or distant from Him. We can trust in His promise to bring us back to Himself.

Spiritual Restoration
The rebuilding of Jerusalem is a metaphor for spiritual renewal. We should seek God's guidance in rebuilding our spiritual lives and relationships with Him.

God's Faithfulness
This verse reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. He is committed to His people and will fulfill His plans for us.

(2) Build up--i.e., of course, "rebuild." The word "outcasts," which is that used in Isaiah 11:12; Isaiah 56:8, shows that the rebuilding after the captivity is intended. The LXX. and Vulg. have "dispersion;" Symmachus, "those thrust out."

Verse 2. - The Lord doth build up Jerusalem. The rebuilding of Jerusalem after the return from the Babylonish captivity covered a space of above ninety years, from B.C. 538 till B.C. 445. First the temple was built (B.C. 533-515); then the city; finally, the walls and the gates ( B.C. 445). It was in connection with this last portion of the building that the present psalm seems to have been written. He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. The exiles returned gradually - some with Zerubbabel ( B.C. 538); some with Ezra, in B.C. 457; others, doubtless, with Nehemiah, in B.C. 445; and again in B.C. 434. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

builds up
בּוֹנֵ֣ה (bō·w·nêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1129: To build

Jerusalem;
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֣ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

He gathers
יְכַנֵּֽס׃ (yə·ḵan·nês)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3664: To collect, to enfold

the exiles
נִדְחֵ֖י (niḏ·ḥê)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1760: To push, thrust

of Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

Links

Psalm 147:2 NIV
Psalm 147:2 NLT
Psalm 147:2 ESV
Psalm 147:2 NASB
Psalm 147:2 KJVPsalm 147:2 BibleApps.com
Psalm 147:2 Biblia Paralela
Psalm 147:2 Chinese Bible
Psalm 147:2 French Bible
Psalm 147:2 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 147:2 Yahweh builds up Jerusalem (Psalm Ps Psa.)