Psalm 147 Chiastic Structure

Read Psalm 147 at Bible Gateway.

The B pair caught my attention this week. The surrounding elements force the B elements to pair, but how does it pair? That is the question. I realized that the 1B pair Chiastic structure is a picture of salvation by God’s mighty power, not by works, because outcasts, the brokenhearted, and the humble have no ability or resources to save themselves. It is the Lord who gathers them and heals them, who builds them up and lifts them up. But then, once saved, He declares to them His statutes and judgments (2B) which no other nation has known. Why? Because He loves them, and His statutes and judgments contain His wisdom, which, if followed, produces prosperity, not lack; health, not sickness; happiness and not despair – in fact, the exact opposite from the state in which He found them. The New Testament calls this two- fold process justification (salvation by grace through faith, and not works, lest any man should boast, Eph 2:8-9) and sanctification (maturing into obedience to God’s word, statutes, and judgments, lest any man should be deceived, Eph 2:10 and Gal 6:7). And yes, it applies to every believer, to every man who calls YHVH Father! ♥