What is the meaning of Psalm 147:20? He has done this • The psalmist is celebrating the specific act of God just mentioned in verse 19: “He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel”. • God personally revealed His covenant, His law, and His character to Israel—something He chose to initiate, not something Israel earned (Exodus 19:4-6; Deuteronomy 7:6). • This unique revelation underscores His faithfulness: “He remembers His covenant forever” (Psalm 105:8). • By doing this, the Lord provided Israel with light, guidance, and a moral framework that reflected His own righteousness (Psalm 19:7-9). for no other nation • Unlike the surrounding peoples—Philistines, Moabites, Egyptians—no other nation received the same direct disclosure of God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:7-8; Amos 3:2). • The privilege carried responsibility. Paul later observes, “Theirs are the covenants and the giving of the Law” (Romans 9:4-5), highlighting Israel’s stewardship role in redemptive history. • God’s choice of Israel was never meant to foster pride but to create a channel through which blessing would reach all nations (Genesis 12:2-3; Isaiah 42:6). they do not know His judgments • “Know” here is experiential; other nations had glimpses of God’s power in creation (Romans 1:19-20) but lacked the intimate, covenantal knowledge Israel possessed. • Without the revealed Law, the Gentile nations walked “in the futility of their thinking” (Ephesians 4:17-18). • Yet God’s plan always looked forward to extending that knowledge: “Many nations will join themselves to the LORD in that day” (Zechariah 2:11). The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) fulfills this trajectory, bringing Gentiles into the blessings once limited to Israel. Hallelujah! • The psalm ends exactly where all theology should—worship. • Praise flows naturally from recognizing God’s gracious self-disclosure. • Believers today, whether Jew or Gentile, can echo “Hallelujah” because in Christ “the dividing wall of hostility” is broken down and both have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:14-18). summary Psalm 147:20 marvels that Israel uniquely received God’s word and judgments, a gift no other nation enjoyed at that time. This distinction highlights God’s covenant faithfulness and Israel’s privileged role, while hinting at the broader plan to bless all peoples. The verse culminates in “Hallelujah,” inviting every reader who now shares in that revelation through Christ to respond with grateful praise. |
    |