Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 147:5
Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.
5. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power ] The language is borrowed from Isa 40:26.
his understanding is infinite ] Lit. to his understanding there is no number, it is incalculable. Number is substituted for searching of Isa 40:28, perhaps to suggest a contrast to Psa 147:5. He numbers the stars: His wisdom cannot be numbered. The Heb. of Sir 39:20 “Is there any number [i.e. limit] to his salvation” [or according to Schechter’s conjecture, understanding ] may be borrowed from this passage.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Great is our Lord – See the notes at Psa 48:1.
And of great power – This seems to be added, as in Isa 40:28, in view of the power required in making the heavens, and in guiding and numbering the stars: Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?
His understanding is infinite – Margin, Of his understanding there is no number. That is, This corresponds with his power to number the stars. There is no limit to it. It is not bounded; there is no point reached where it can be said that there is no more; that it is exhausted. See the notes at Isa 40:28 : There is no searching of his understanding.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. His understanding is infinite.] To his intelligence there is no number: though he numbers the stars, his understanding is without number. It is infinite; therefore, he can know, as he can do, all things.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Great [is] our Lord, and of great power,…. “Our Lord” is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of the whole earth; the Lord of his own people by creation, by redemption, by marriage, and by the conquest of his grace, and their voluntary submission to him; he is “great” in his person, offices, and grace, and therefore greatly to be praised; see
Ps 145:3; and particularly his “power” is very “great”, as appears in the creation of all things out of nothing by him; in the sustaining and support of the world and all things in it: in the redemption of his people from the hand of their powerful enemies; in beginning, carrying on, and perfecting a work of grace on their hearts by his Spirit and power; and in the preservation of them unto eternal life, through a thousand dangers and difficulties: at his resurrection all power in heaven and earth were given him as Mediator; and in the latter day he will take to himself his great power and reign; and in the last day will raise the dead out of their graves;
his understanding [is] infinite; it reaches to all things, not to the stars of heaven only, as in Ps 147:4, but to the fowls of the air, to the beasts of the field, and cattle upon a thousand hills; to all on the surface of the earth, or in the bowels of it; and to the fishes of the sea: it reaches to all men, and to all the thoughts of their hearts, the words of their mouths, and the actions of their lives; it reaches to all things past, that have been, to everything present, and to whatsoever is to come; it includes not only the knowledge of all things that are, or certainly will be, but of all things possible, or which he could bring into being if he would; it is concerned not only with the quality and nature of things it perfectly understands, but with the quantity of them; even all things in creation and providence, which are without number and past finding out by men; and so his understanding is without number, and cannot be declared, as the word signifies.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Of great power.Literally, abounding in power.
Infinite.Literally, without number. (See Note, Psa. 145:3, and Isa. 40:28; that prophetic passage being still in the poets mind, though the expression is changed.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
DISCOURSE: 746
THE POWER AND WISDOM OF GOD
Psa 147:5-7. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.
AN acquaintance with God is the one object which we should seek after; since by that alone can we ascertain the extent of our guilt and danger; or be brought to accept the salvation offered us in the Gospel. In the passage before us we have a glorious representation of him: and if we view him aright, our souls will be filled with unutterable peace and joy.
Let us consider,
I.
The character of God as here declared
He is here set before us,
1.
In his essential attributes
[He is a God of inconceivable power, and of infinite wisdom. View him in the works of creation, and see what an union of these two perfections is displayed both in heaven and earth Behold the same in all the works of providence, upholding every thing in its order, and accomplishing for every thing all that is necessary for its well-being Behold it above all in his works of grace. Well is the Gospel called the wisdom of God and the power of God [Note: 1Co 1:24.]. Truly when man had fallen after the example of angels, it seemed impossible but that he must also share their doom. But infinite wisdom devised a way whereby mercy might be extended to sinners in perfect consistency with the rights of justice; and the power of God has carried into effect that plan, laying help for us upon One that was mighty, and opening, through the sacrifice of his only-begotten Son, a way of acceptance with him for every child of man [Note: Joh 3:16. 1Ti 1:15.]
Had either of these perfections existed in him without the other, his power would have been an object of terror only, and his wisdom might have been exercised for us in vain. But their united exercise renders him a fit object for our most ardent love, and unbounded affiance.]
2.
In his dealings with mankind
[The meek are objects of his peculiar care. But under this name we do not comprehend those who are naturally of a calm and placid disposition: but those who are humbled under a sense of sin, and abased before God as deserving his wrath and indignation [Note: Isa 61:1.] Now such as these he lifteth up, speaking peace to their souls, and causing their hearts to overflow with joy [Note: Isa 61:3.] If there were but one such person in the universe, God would search him out [Note: Isa 66:2.] and raise him up out of the dust to set him among princes, and to make him inherit a throne of glory [Note: 1Sa 2:8.]
On the other hand, the wicked, who hold fast their wickedness and refuse to humble themselves before him, he will cast down to the ground, and consign over to everlasting perdition [Note: Psa 9:17.] He will assuredly, and in all cases, carry into effect that determination which he has so often announced to us, of abasing the proud, and exalting those who humble themselves before him [Note: Isa 2:11.] ]
Let us now proceed to mark,
II.
The effect which this view of him should produce upon us
In this view should every living soul rejoice.
1.
The wicked themselves
[What a ground of joy should it be to them, that they are not, as they well might have been, shut up in hell, but that they have still an opportunity of embracing the salvation which infinite wisdom has devised: and almighty power is ready to impart! To every such person I say, Compare your state with those whose day of grace has closed, and, amidst all your sorrows for your past sins, bless and adore and magnify your God, that it is yet the day of salvation to you [Note: 2Co 6:2.], and that you have yet One following you with that blessed assurance, Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out ]
2.
The meek in particular
[Well does the Psalmist say to you, Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God. Do but think what a Protector you have, even one who is infinitely wise to discover all that your great adversary is plotting for your destruction and infinitely powerful to shield you from his fiercest assaults Surely you may adopt the triumphant language of St. Paul [Note: Rom 8:35-39.], since, however weak you be, God has engaged to perfect his own strength in your weakness
Think too what a Friend you have, who will supply your every want out of the fulness that is in Christ Jesus, and employ all his wisdom and all his power for the enriching and comforting of your souls
Lastly, think what a Rewarder you have, who has provided for you on earth whatsoever his infinite wisdom has judged best, and his almighty power can impart to make you happy whilst in heaven is reserved for you an eternity of inconceivable and unutterable bliss
I say then to you especially, tune your harps to sing the praises of your redeeming God and live in the habitual and delightful anticipation of the blessedness that awaits you in a better world ]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
I do not think it needful to go over the several things here mentioned. If Jesus doth thus order, arrange, direct, and bless his church, and take delight in those that hope in his mercy; what can be more sweet and proper than to see the souls of his redeemed going out after him, in writings, adorations, love, and praise? Oh! the blessedness of communion! Jesus gives of his fulness; and his people come with their emptiness to be supplied. Jesus is not only glorified when they actively praise him; but also when they passively receive of his fulness, and grace for grace. So, Lord, let my soul live upon thee and to thee! Mic 5:8 ; Deu 32:2 ; Isa 55:10-11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.
Ver. 5. His understanding is infinite ] Heb. of his understanding there is no number; for he knows not only the kinds and sorts of things, but even the particulars, though they exceed all number. Sic spectat universos quasi singulos; sic singulos, quasi solos. That philosopher did not say nothing, who, being in danger of shipwreck in a light starry night, said, Surely I shall not perish, there are so many eyes of providence over me.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
our LORD. Hebrew. ‘Adonim. App-4. Compare Psa 135:5.
of great power = abounding in power. Compare Isa 40:26.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Great: Psa 48:1, Psa 96:4, Psa 99:2, Psa 135:5, Psa 145:3, 1Ch 16:25, Jer 10:6, Jer 32:17-19, Nah 1:3, Rev 15:3
his understanding is infinite: Heb. of his understanding there is no number, Psa 40:5, Psa 139:17, Psa 139:18, Isa 40:28, Rom 11:33
Reciprocal: 1Sa 2:3 – a God Job 12:13 – wisdom Job 28:23 – General Job 36:5 – mighty Job 37:16 – perfect Psa 89:8 – a strong Isa 40:26 – bringeth Dan 2:20 – for wisdom Rom 16:27 – only
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 147:5-6. Great is our Lord, and of great power This is a proper conclusion, drawn from the former part of the Psalm, and especially from the preceding verse. The greatness of Gods power, which overcometh all difficulties, to effect the salvation of his people, is not to be grasped by the human mind; and that wisdom which numbers the stars of heaven, and the sand of the sea, and the generations of the sons of Adam, can itself be subject to the rules of no arithmetic. The Lord lifteth up the meek, &c. To exalt and reward the humble, penitent, believing, and obedient; and to depress and punish the proud, impenitent, unbelieving, and disobedient; these are the measures and ends of all the divine dispensations. And as a man ranks himself in one or other of these two divisions, he may expect from heaven storm or sunshine, mercy or judgment. Horne.