Psalms 147:2
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The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
This is another psalm of praise. Some think it was penned after the return of the Jews from their captivity; but it is so much of a piece with Ps. 145 that I rather think it was penned by David, and what is said (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13) may well enough be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in his time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul's time. The Septuagint divides it into two; and we may divide it into the first and second part, but both of the same import. I. We are called upon to praise God (Psa 147:1, Psa 147:7, Psa 147:12). II. We are furnished with matter for praise, for God is to be glorified, 1. As the God of nature, and so he is very great (Psa 147:4, Psa 147:5, Psa 147:8, Psa 147:9, Psa 147:15-18). 2. As the God of grace, comforting his people (Psa 147:3, Psa 147:6, Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11). 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, settling their civil state (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13, Psa 147:14), and especially settling religion among them (Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20). It is easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it to ourselves, both as to personal and national mercies, were it but as easy to do so with suitable affections.
Open source ↗147:2-6 The psalmist recalls the restoration of Jerusalem and the Lord’s afflicted exiles.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
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then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you.
Thus declares the Lord GOD, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.”
In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.
After a long time you will be summoned. In the latter years you will enter a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and all now dwell securely.
I will surely gather My people from all the lands to which I have banished them in My furious anger and great wrath, and I will return them to this place and make them dwell in safety.
What answer will be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has founded Zion, where His afflicted people will find refuge.”
And in that day a great ram’s horn will sound, and those who were perishing in Assyria will come forth with those who were exiles in Egypt. And they will worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.
Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing.
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.