Psalms 147:14

Psa 147:14 He maketh peace [in] thy borders, [and] filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

Ver. 14. He maketh peace in thy borders] Peace, peace, Isa 26:3, peace of country and of conscience.

And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat] Heb. with the fat of wheat, called fat of kidneys of wheat, Deu 32:14. See Psa 81:16. Judaea was once called and counted Sumen totius terrae, breeding sow of the whole earth, not so much for the nature of the country, as for the blessing of God thereupon; for now it is nothing so fruitful. But the saints have still the bread of angels, a feast "of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined," Isa 25:6.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Psa_147:14-15

He maketh peace in thy borders.

Peace at home and prosperity abroad: a Missionary Sermon

The prosperity of the Church is described in this psalm.

I. What are the points which constitute the healthiness of the Church at home? To begin with the most important--the true piety of all her members. If we could to-morrow bring into the Church a sufficient number of ungodly but moral men to double our numbers, our subscriptions, our places of worship and our missionaries, it would be a curse and not a blessing. Next, the soundness of that Gospel which we proclaim and preach. When I have read the conflict between the mighty man who made these walls echo with his voice, Mr. Whitefield, and that other mighty man, equally useful in his day, Mr. Wesley, I have felt that they contended for the same truths, and that the vitality of godliness was not at issue in the controversy. But there are vital truths, and for these we must contend even to the death. The spirit of union. We must needs have divers communions, because we cannot see eye to eye in discipline, while nevertheless we are really and vitally one. I am sure the more we come to know each other, the better we love one another. Constant activity. The Church gets dull, listless and heavy at times. Abundant prayer.

II. The connection between a healthy home Church and the spread of Christs Kingdom abroad. It is clear enough. The whole missionary enterprise will fall to pieces, bit by bit, if we be not in spiritual health. There is a well of water springing up, and the people of the district flock to it. Suddenly the secret spring begins to fail; by some means or another the water is gone to another place, and the spring is no more there. Soon would it come to pass that where multitudes of men and women were wont to drink with joy and gladness there is not a single person to be seen. So with our missionary success should the Church at home degenerate. The inconsistencies of English Christians have proved one of the greatest barriers to Christs Kingdom in other lands.

III. Then if all this be true, then let us remember that it must also have a connection with our own personal standing in the sight of God. If one member be unhealthy in the body, the unhealthiness of that member does to a degree taint the whole. If every man mended one all would be mended. Responsibility to God for the souls of men is cast on each one of us. When you stand by the grave of some neighbour, can you look down into the grave and say, I did all that was in the power of mortal man for that souls salvation? No, you cannot. I am afraid that none of us, or but very few, when we hear of the death of friends, can say, If that man perish, I did not leave a stone unturned. Who has done all he might? (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The Divine efficiency illustrated in the blessing of peace

I. The peace of nations.

1. A blessing.

2. A promised blessing.

3. A blessing for the improvement of which nations are accountable.

4. A blessing in which the Church hath interest (Jer_29:7; Jam_4:1).

II. The efficiency of the Lord our God in the peace of nations.

1. The peace of nations is within His all-comprehending purpose. The time in which the peace is concluded, the articles, the nations comprehended in it, and, in a word, every circumstance is according to the pleasure and purpose of the will of God, who hath foreordained whatsoever cometh to pass.

2. The Lord disposes the events of war in such a manner as to open the way to a peace. Victories and conquests on the one side, and losses and defeats on the other, are balanced by His wisdom and justice, and overruled for hastening and facilitating accommodations between the belligerent and contending powers.

3. Inclinations to peace, formed by His invisible and unperceived efficiency in the minds of princes and cabinet ministers, are called into exercise and motion by the operations of His providence.

4. Negotiations for peace are begun, and carried on, and con-eluded under His eye.

5. The conditions of peace are settled by His efficiency.

6. The success of negotiations for peace is of the Lord.

III. Praise the Lords efficiency in the peace of nations.

1. Believe His efficiency.

2. Confess it.

3. Rejoice in it. (A. Shanks.)

Filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

The blessing of plenty

I. The good mentioned. The finest of the wheat is--

1. A blessing (Zec_9:17).

2. A promised blessing (Joe_2:23-24).

3. A blessing which, without impeaching the goodness and faithfulness of the promiser, may be denied, confiscated, and cursed.

4. A blessing for which they who receive it are accountable. The Lord is our judge as well as our benefactor.

5. A blessing in which the Church hath interest. In the members of this holy society there is a bodily and a spiritual part. The Lord is the former and nourisher of them both.

II. The efficiency of the Lord our God in filling us with the finest of the wheat.

1. The discretion which prepareth the land for sowing the wheat is inspired and taught by the Lord.

2. The dying of the wheat under the clod.

3. The revival of the wheat.

4. The springing and growth of the wheat.

5. Wheat-harvest is of the Lord. He appointeth the weeks, and by His power in the atmosphere disposeth winds and clouds and rain to keep it back, or bring it forward, to make it prosperous or calamitous, according to His counsel and pleasure.

III. Conclusion. Use the finest of the wheat, and all the goods of the season--

1. Thankfully.

2. Wisely and discreetly.

3. Charitably.

4. Temperately.

5. Believingly. (A. Shanks.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. (Psa 147:14) (It is) he that makes thy border peace, (and with) the fat of wheat he satisfies thee. He that makes, literally the (one) placing. Border is put for all that it contains or bounds, thy territory or domain. To make it peace is to make it peaceful or to give it peace. See Isa 54:12. With the last clause compare Psa 81:16, Deu 32:14.

Joseph Addison Alexander, The Psalms Translated and Explained (1850) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Hebrew, fat.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

maketh . . . borders--or, territories (Gen 23:17; Isa 54:12).

filleth thee, &c.--(Compare Margin).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 14. He maketh peace] They were now no longer troubled with the Samaritans, Moabites, &c.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(14) Maketh peace.—Or, placing as thy border peace.

Finest of the wheat.—Literally, fat of wheat. (See Psa_81:16.)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

14. satisfleth thee with the fat of wheat] Fulfilling His ancient promises. Cp. Psa_81:16; Deu_32:14.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

He maketh peace in thy borders,.... Which are usually most infested by enemies, It may denote the universality of peace throughout the land, in all the parts and borders of it; and be understood of the outward peace of the church with her enemies, and of the abundance and continuance of it in the latter day; and of that concord and harmony that shall be among the members of it; and also of that inward spiritual conscience peace each enjoy through believing; and which is in and from Christ, and flows from his blood and righteousness, applied for pardon and justification; and is another reason for praising the Lord;

and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat; or, "fat of the wheat" (s); the best of it; see Deu 32:14; which is the choicest of grain, and makes the best of bread, and especially the finest flour of it; and to be filled and satisfied with this, or to have enough of it, is a great temporal blessing. Here it may be understood spiritually of the Gospel, which may be compared to wheat, and the finest of it, for its excellency and purity, for its solidity and substantiality; with which the chaff of human doctrine is not to be mentioned, Jer 23:28; and for its salutary nourishing and strengthening virtue; and especially of Christ, the sum and substance of it, sometimes compared to a corn of wheat, Joh 12:24; for his superior excellency to all others, and the purity of his nature; for his great fruitfulness, and for being suitable food to his people; the bread of life, for which he is prepared by his sufferings and death; which may be signified by the beating out of the corn, and grinding the wheat, and making it into bread, fit for use: and for this spiritual food believers are abundantly thankful, and have reason to praise the Lord.

(s) "adipe", Montanus, Pagninus, Tigurine version, Musculus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

He maketh peace in thy borders - Margin, he maketh thy border peace. The word border here refers to a boundary, and stands for all the domain or territory included within the boundaries of a country. The idea is that peace prevailed throughout the land.

And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat - 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 Psa 132:15 : “I will satisfy her poor with bread.”

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

In thy borders; in all thy land, even to its utmost borders, which are most liable to the incursion of enemies.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Ver. 14. He maketh peace in thy borders. Even to the boundaries quiet extends; no enemies are wrangling with the borderers. If there is peace there, we may be sure that peace is everywhere. "When a man's ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Peace is from the God of peace. Considering the differing constitutions, conditions, tastes, and opinions of men, it is a work of God when in large churches unbroken peace is found year after year; and it is an equal wonder if worldlings, instead of persecuting the godly, treat them with marked respect. He who builds Zion is also her Peace maker, the Lord and Giver of peace. And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. Peace is attended with plenty, plenty of the best food, and of the best sort of that food. It is a great reason for thanksgiving when men's wants are so supplied that they are filled: it takes much to fill some men: perhaps none ever are filled but the inhabitants of Zion; and they are only to be filled by the Lord himself. Gospel truth is the finest of the wheat, and those are indeed blessed who are content to be filled therewith, and are not hungering after the husks of the world. Let those who are filled with heavenly food fill their mouths with heavenly praise.

Ver. 14. He maketh peace in thy borders, etc. There is a political peacepeace in city and country; this is the fairest flower of a Prince's crown; peace is the best blessing of a nation. It is well with bees when there is a noise; but it is best with Christians when, as in the building of the Temple, there is no noise of hammer heard. Peace brings plenty along with it; how many miles would some go on pilgrimage to purchase this peace! Therefore the Greeks made Peace to be the nurse of Pluto, the God of wealth. Political plants thrive best in the sunshine of peace. "He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat." The ancients made the harp the emblem of peace: how sweet would the sounding of this harp be after the roaring of the cannon! All should study to promote this political peace. The godly man, when he dies, "enters into peace" (Isa 57:2); but while he lives, peace must enter into him. Thomas Watson.

Ver. 14. He maketh peace. The Hebrews observe that all the letters in the name of God are literae quiescentes, letters of rest. God only is the centre where the soul may find rest: God only can speak peace to the conscience. John Stoughton, 1639.

Ver. 14. Finest of the wheat. If men give much it is in cheap and coarse commodity. Quantity and quality are only possible with human production in in verse ratio; but the Lord gives the most and best of all supplies to his pensioners. How truly the believer under the gospel knows the inner spirit of the meaning here! The Lord Jesus Christ says, "My peace I give unto you." And when he sets us at rest and all is reconciliation and peace, then he feeds us with himself his body, the finest wheat, and his blood, the richest wine. Johannes Paulus Palanterius.

Ver. 14-15. See "Spurgeon's Sermons", No. 425: "Peace at Home, and Prosperity Abroad."

Ver. 14-15. Church blessings.

1. Peace.

2. Food.

3. Missionary energy.

4. The presence of God: the source of all blessing.

Psalms 147:15*

Charles H. Spurgeon's The Treasury of David (1869–1885) — public domain. Psalms only. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

He maketh peace in thy borders. The completion of the walls and gates of Jerusalem brought to an end the troubles caused by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, and established general peace and tranquility in Israel. And filleth thee with the finest of the wheat; literally, with the fat of wheat; i.e. wheat in abundance and of good quality. The prosperity of Nehemiah"s time appears in Neh_10:28-39 Neh_12:44-47 Neh_13:12-15.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Borders - In all thy land, even to its utmost borders.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

the best of the wheat Heb. חלב, lit. fat. The best, fat wheat kernels.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.