“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;
He has blessed your sons within you.
14 He makes [i]peace in your borders;
He satisfies you with the [j]finest of the wheat.”-{Psalm 147:12-14}

With the stress’s, pressures, pleasures, mundanes in this world, your world, it is hard at times because of being consumed with what is before us or going on in our lives to see God in our world. We need Him to save us and then sustain us with hearts that look up to Him and look out and see Him actively involved in our world. Praise is a great primer to see and should be a response to what we see of Him in the world around us.

For the “outcasts” who had been brought back to their land and seen the LORD build up Jerusalem, there are two main reasons to Praise the LORD in v 12-20. They are that He Restores and His Reign. And the passage ends with “Praise the LORD,” which is a command! He begins the passage with “Praise the Lord,” in v 12,it is also a command. In between  these verses, He gives reasons why He is to be praised. He sees the LORD in his world, and calls them to remember so that they too see Him in their world, and recognize the privilege they have and how He has personally been involved in their world ! They had suffered, been scattered and now had been brought back to Jerusalem seen Him build it up and seen and experienced His healing of land and heart and and they of all people have an obligation, springing from gratitude and love to Praise Him continually! 

Don’t take His blessings for granted. Look for reasons to Praise Him.

 

“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!” -{v12}

He uses two names for God, which would mean something to them as He revealed aspects of who he is in the names He uses in certain situations. He uses, “LORD,”-{Yahwah}, which speaks of Him as the Self Existent One as used in Exodus 3:14. Self existent, in need of nothing or no one outside of Him to sustain, inform him. He has no beginning nor end, He is perfect, complete in Himself. He is Self-Existent, Self -sufficient, all sufficient, He has no needs! Praise Him! The  next name He is revealed is as “God,”-“Elohim,” speaking of the Mighty, Powerful One! The Sovereign One! Praise Him!  “Jerusalem -{v12}, Zion -{19}, Jacob -{v19},” refer to God’s chosen  people, Israel. God was their God-{v12}. Jerusalem and Zion are the same place. Jerusalem is called the city of Peace and Zion is one of two hills in the area where the Temple had been built,where the people went to worship.

“Psalm 147 can be divided up into three parts- 1-6; 7-11; 12-120. Here begins the second part of the Psalm and reasons for Praising the LORD is His Goodness and the object of His Goodness- is His people…He reminds them just how PRIVILEGED the people  were and …Here is a call of gratitude from grateful people to the Blessings of God to them. It is Hallelujah time! He gives them 4 reasons in calling them to Praise the LORD- a Command.Praising the LORD for RESTORATION & PROTECTION.- {Read v 12-14,19-20 a}

He Restores the people-  Verse 2 we read, “He brought back,… He built up….”

He commands them to “Praise the LORD,” and then gives the reason, explanation why by using the word “For”

4 ACTS OF GOD’S COMPASSION TO PRAISE HIM FOR;

1. PROTECTION/ SECURITY . -“ For He has strengthened the bars of your gates;” – v 13.

When enemy armies attacked a city that was surrounded by a wall, they hit what they believed was the most vulnerable part to successfully break through, namely the gates. Look what happens when the bars of the gates are down…”Behold, your people are women in your midst! “…Look at your troops– they are all weaklings. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed the bars of your gates.“-{Nahum  3:13}. People are vulnerable, exposed to danger, no protection.

The Psalmist in Psalm 147 gives the reason to “Praise The LORD,” with the word, “For.”

“For,” God Himself has undertaken to protect the most vulnerable part of the walls, the gates, but He has “strengthened the bars of your gates,”which means He has made them safe and secure. He has given them protection, safety, security. In those times cities were surrounded by walls for protection and the way in was through gates. The “gates were fastened by bars passed across them, to which the gates were secure.”  He has strengthened the most vulnerable part is referring to that which was easily breached is now STRENGTHENED AND SUSTAINED BY GOD HIMSELF! In verse 2 we see how He does this when it says, “The LORD BUILDS UP Jerusalem He Gathers the outcasts…” By the time He had finished right down to the gates He had secured and made safe! He had made all strong, sturdy and safe!  Jerusalem was standing in all it’s beauty, and security!

Note the phrasing in verse 13, “He has strengthened…” He  as verse 12 refers to “God,” the word being “Elohim,” who is The Almighty, all powerful, Sovereign King,who is good and does good, He uses His power to  build up {v 2} and strengthen the vulnerable in this instance.{v 13}. We are all vulnerable, be it to illness, disease, death, economically, spiritually, emotionally, physically… and in many other ways, but pride often blinds us from seeing our true condition and it is but the mercy of God that we are sustained, strengthened daily to live. But the people whom the Psalmist address’s knew by experience their vulnerability, weakness, and their great need having lived it, and so in the realization of the LORD’S intervention, the Psalmist reminds them and calls them to respond …upon seeing God undertake for them, with praise! When God guards your Gates you are SAFE!

Response to  the LORD’S Restoration & Protection?…”PRAISE THE LORD!”

 

2.PRONOUNCEMENT/ FUTURE. -“He has blessed your children within you.” – v 13

The Hebrew word “ben,” can mean, “son, children.”

Not only does He undertake for the most vulnerable part of the city – the gates- by strengthening, reinforcing, we see He also makes special mention of the most vulnerable among the people, the children, the weak and powerless, and these little ones, who are dependent, He intervenes and protests them also! Earlier He had mentioned the “outcasts,-{v2}… the broken-hearted. -{v3}…wounded…-{ v3} afflicted…”-{v6},  the vulnerable ones, and He undertakes for them. Note in verse 2 -3 and in this section emphasizes God’s protection, mercy, graciousness, concern and love for the vulnerable, weak, and needy ones. He undertakes! The children are safe, secure. Praise the LORD

 

Response to  the LORD’S Restoration & Protection?…”PRAISE THE LORD!”

 

3. PEACE./STABILITY. -“ He makes peace in your borders;” – v 14

“The word “Peace,” is the Hebrew word, “Shalom.” In Scripture is has several shades of different meaning depending on the context. It includes wholeness, safety, a state of calm without anxiety or stress, wholeness, goodness, total satisfaction in life, prosperity. It speaks of life without and within!

The land that was once devastated with wars is now at peace, tranquility, safety, and this is what the LORD has done! He took down “the wicked to the ground.”-{v6}.

Literally, “your borders peace.” The word, “borders,” speaks of all the territory included within the boundaries of the country. The idea is that “peace” reigned throughout the whole land. There was no place where “peace” did not rule victoriously. Peace gloriously reigned and prevailed throughout the land, because God had gifted the people “Shalom!” Nothing or no one could overthrow what God had established for the people at that time! This was a reminder and reason for the people to “Praise the LORD!”

 

Response to  the LORD’S Restoration & Protection?…”PRAISE THE LORD!”

 

““Jerusalem,” “Zion” (v. 12), and “Jacob” (v. 19) refer to God’s chosen people, Israel. God was their God (v. 12) because He loved them and chose Zion for His dwelling place (Ps. 132:13; Mal. 1:2). Here the psalmist extols God for strengthening Jerusalem’s gates (her security from enemies), blessing their children, giving them peace, and giving them the finest of the wheat.”- {Steven Cole}

 

4. PROVISION/ SATISFACTION  -“He satisfies you with the finest of the wheat.”- v 14

He provides for the daily need of their lives, and that with the finest of wheat. He “satisfies” them. How wonderful He is…

“Margin, as in Hebrew, fat of wheat. Literally, “He satisfies thee with the fat of wheat.” There is no want of wheat, and that of the best kind. Compare the notes at Psalm 132:15: “I will satisfy her poor with bread.”

Response to  the LORD’S Restoration & Protection?…”PRAISE THE LORD!”

“The fortifications of Jerusalem are now complete, and their strength gives security to the people gathered into the city. Over all the land once devastated by war peace broods, and the fields that lay desolate now have yielded harvest. The ancient promise [Psalms 81:16] has been fulfilled, its condition having been complied with, and Israel having hearkened to Jehovah. Protection, blessing, tranquillity, abundance, are the results of obedience, God’s gifts to them that fear Him. So it was in the psalmist’s experience; so, in higher form, it is still. These Divine acts are continuous, and as long as there are men who trust, there will be a God who builds defences around them and satisfies them with good.”-{Maclaren}

They had much to PRAISE the LORD God for, including

1. PROTECTION –

2. PRONOUNCEMENT –

3. PEACE –

4. PROVISION –

The More we see of God’s Greatness and Goodness around us and to us should cause us to Praise the LORD, God- the Self Existent, Powerful, Mighty, Sovereign One!

Indeed we too have much to praise Him for. We have Spiritual Protection, we are “Kept by the power of God.”-{1 Peter 1:5}. The word “kept” is a military term meaning,”to Guard, protect,” and that is by God Himself who protects our soul and that for eternity!-Praise The LORD! He has Pronounced His blessing upon us including, “blessed us with every spiritual Blessing in Christ.”-{ Ephesians 1:3}. He has gifted us Peace. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.“-{ Romans 5:1-2}. And He is our Peace.- “For He Himself is our peace,…” -{Ephesians 2:14}. We too have been blessed with both Spiritual Provision and the promise of Physical provision. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. “- {Philippians 4:19}. Sometimes, we need to just pause and ponder His Greatness and Goodness to us… and realize all He is and what He has done, is doing, will do for us, and PRAISE THE LORD!

 

 

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem: The exhortation to praise comes again, with another hallelujah. The more we understand and explain the power and care of God, the more we should praise Him.

b. He has strengthened the bars of your gates: This begins a series of four great and compassionate acts God had done for His people. Each of these were a reason for praise. Our worship is not empty adoration; it is gratitude for specific goodness and the anticipation of future goodness.

· He gives security (strengthen the bars of your gates).

· He gives a future (bless your children within you).

· He gives peace (peace in your borders).

· He gives provision (fills you with the finest wheat).

i. He has strengthened the bars of your gates: “The fortifications of Jerusalem are now complete, and their strength gives security to the people gathered into the city. Over all the land once devastated by war peace broods, and the fields that lay desolate now have yielded harvest.” (Maclaren)

“Verse 14 focuses on the material needs of ordinary life and declares that God supplies those needs. The word “peace” translates the Hebrew shalom. In this case the word might better be translated “prosperity” (see the use of the term in Psalm 73:3, “the prosperity of the wicked”). Indeed, verse 14a says generally that God provides material blessings and verse 14b declares more specifically, “he fills you with the finest of wheat.”

Verses 15-18 continue to catalog God’s saving acts. This section turns attention, however, to God’s rule over the natural realm and to the means by which God rules. Namely, God directs the world by means of God’s word. Verse 15 includes “word” and “command” as parallels. The term translated “command” does not necessarily refer to legal pronouncements or injunctions (Psalm 17:6).

There is good reason to identify command with God’s covenantal stipulation”

“Ver. 13-14. The Psalmist recites four arguments from which he would have Zion sing praises. 1. Security and defence. 2. Benediction.

 

3. Peace. 4. Sustenance or provision.

 

1. Security. Jerusalem is a city secure, being defended by God: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates. Gates and bars do well to a city, but then only is the city secure when God makes them strong. The true munition of a city is God’s defence of it. Arms, laws, wealth, etc., are the bars, but God must put strength into them.

2. Benediction. Jerusalem is a happy city, for he hath blessed thy children, within, thee, thy kings, princes, magistrates, etc., with wisdom, piety, etc.

3. Peace. Jerusalem is a peaceable city. He maketh peace in thy borders, the very name intimates so much; for Jerusalem interpreted is visio pacis —Vision of peace.

4. Abundance. Jerusalem is a city provided by God with necessary food and provision; for He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. —William Nicholson.

 

“…shown to the restored Israel, and passing on to the wider manifestations of God’s goodness. But there is a difference in this repeated setting forth of both these themes. The fortifications of Jerusalem are now complete, and their strength gives security to the people gathered into the city. Over all the land once devastated by war peace broods, and the fields that lay desolate now have yielded harvest. The ancient promise [Psalms 81:16] has been fulfilled, its condition having been complied with, and Israel having hearkened to Jehovah. Protection, blessing, tranquillity, abundance, are the results of obedience, God’s gifts to them that fear Him. So it was in the psalmist’s experience; so, in higher form, it is still. These Divine acts are continuous, and as long as there are men who trust, there will be a God who builds defences around them and satisfies them with good.”