Psalm 147:6
The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.
The LORD
This phrase refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible. It emphasizes His eternal, self-existent nature and His personal relationship with His people. In the context of the Psalms, "The LORD" is often a reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The use of "The LORD" here underscores the divine authority and power behind the actions described in the verse.

sustains
The Hebrew root word here is "tamak," which means to uphold, support, or maintain. This conveys the idea of God actively providing strength and stability to those who rely on Him. In a historical context, this reflects God's ongoing provision and protection for Israel, as well as His personal care for individuals who are humble and dependent on Him.

the humble
The Hebrew word "anav" refers to those who are lowly, meek, or afflicted. In the biblical context, humility is not just a social status but a spiritual posture of dependence on God. The humble are those who recognize their need for God and submit to His will. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God exalts the humble and opposes the proud (James 4:6).

but casts
The verb "shalak" in Hebrew means to throw down or hurl. This action is deliberate and forceful, indicating God's decisive judgment against the wicked. It reflects the biblical principle that God is just and will not allow evil to prevail indefinitely.

the wicked
The term "rasha" in Hebrew describes those who are morally wrong, guilty, or hostile to God. The wicked are characterized by their rebellion against God's laws and their harmful actions towards others. Throughout Scripture, the wicked are contrasted with the righteous, and their ultimate downfall is a recurring theme.

to the ground
This phrase signifies complete defeat and humiliation. In ancient times, being cast to the ground was a sign of utter disgrace and powerlessness. It serves as a stark contrast to the sustaining of the humble, highlighting the ultimate justice of God in dealing with humanity. The imagery of being brought low to the ground underscores the finality of God's judgment against those who oppose Him.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people.

2. The Humble
Those who are lowly in spirit, recognizing their dependence on God and submitting to His will.

3. The Wicked
Individuals who live in opposition to God's ways, characterized by pride and rebellion against His commandments.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Humility
Humility is a foundational Christian virtue that aligns us with God's character and opens us to His grace and sustenance.

God's Justice and Righteousness
God's casting down of the wicked demonstrates His commitment to justice and righteousness, reminding us of the consequences of living in opposition to His will.

Dependence on God
Recognizing our need for God's sustenance encourages a life of prayer and reliance on His strength rather than our own abilities.

The Consequences of Pride
Pride leads to downfall and separation from God's favor, urging us to examine our hearts and attitudes regularly.

Living in God's Favor
By cultivating humility, we position ourselves to receive God's favor and blessings, experiencing His sustaining power in our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of humility in Psalm 147:6 challenge our modern understanding of success and self-reliance?

2. In what ways can we actively cultivate humility in our daily lives, and what role does prayer play in this process?

3. How does the promise of God sustaining the humble encourage you in times of personal weakness or struggle?

4. Reflect on a time when pride led to a negative outcome in your life. How can this experience guide you in seeking humility?

5. How do the themes of humility and divine justice in Psalm 147:6 connect with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, particularly in the Beatitudes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
James 4:6
This verse echoes the theme of God giving grace to the humble and opposing the proud, reinforcing the idea that humility is a key virtue in the Christian life.

1 Peter 5:5-6
These verses encourage believers to clothe themselves with humility and trust in God's mighty hand to exalt them in due time, aligning with the promise of divine sustenance for the humble.

Proverbs 3:34
This proverb highlights God's favor towards the humble and His scorn for the scornful, paralleling the contrast between the humble and the wicked in Psalm 147:6.
The Lord's Ways with the MeekR. Tuck Psalm 147:6
Worthy, Therefore, of All Praise and WorshipC. Short Psalm 147:1-6
A Praiseful SpiritPsalm 147:1-11
Genuine WorshipDavid Thomas, D. D.Psalm 147:1-11
Master Motives to PraiseW. T. Fullerton.Psalm 147:1-11
PraiseHenry Ward Beecher.Psalm 147:1-11
People
Jacob, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abaseth, Afflicted, Bringeth, Brings, Casteth, Casts, Causing, Downtrodden, Gives, Ground, Humble, Lifteth, Lifts, Low, Making, Meek, Poor, Sends, Shame, Sinners, Spirit, Stand, Supports, Upholdeth, Upholds, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 147:6

     1080   God, living
     8261   generosity, God's
     8276   humility
     8305   meekness

Psalm 147:1-17

     4060   nature

Library
Healing for the Wounded
We will not delay you by a preface, but will come at once to the two thoughts: first, here is a great ill--a broken heart; and secondly, a great mercy--"he healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." Man is a double being: he is composed of body and soul, and each of the portions of man may receive injury and hurt. The wounds of the body are extremely painful, and if they amount to a breaking of the frame the torture is singularly exquisite. Yet God has in his mercy provided means
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

Christ's Hospital
"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."--Psalm 147:3. Often as we have read this Psalm, we can never fail to be struck with the connection in which this verse stands, especially its connection with the verse that follows. Read the two together: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." What condescension and grandeur! What pity and omnipotence! He who leads out yonder ponderous orbs
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

The Acceptable Sacrifice;
OR, THE EXCELLENCY OF A BROKEN HEART: SHOWING THE NATURE, SIGNS, AND PROPER EFFECTS OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT. BEING THE LAST WORKS OF THAT EMINENT PREACHER AND FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, MR. JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. WITH A PREFACE PREFIXED THEREUNTO BY AN EMINENT MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL IN LONDON. London: Sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgates, 1692. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The very excellent preface to this treatise, written by George Cokayn, will inform the reader of
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Anxious About Earth, or Earnest About the Kingdom
'And He said unto His disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23. The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25. And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26. If ye then be not able to do that thing
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions Of Holy Scripture

The Chorus of Angels
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing! I t was a good report which the queen of Sheba heard, in her own land, of the wisdom and glory of Solomon. It lessened her attachment to home, and prompted her to undertake a long journey to visit this greater King, of whom she had heard so much. She went, and she was not disappointed. Great as the expectations were, which she had formed from the relation made her by others,
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Sermon of the Seasons
"Oh, the long and dreary Winter! Oh, the cold and cruel Winter!" We say to ourselves, Will spring-time never come? In addition to this, trade and commerce continue in a state of stagnation; crowds are out of employment, and where business is carried on, it yields little profit. Our watchmen are asked if they discern any signs of returning day, and they answer, "No." Thus we bow our heads in a common affliction, and ask each man comfort of his fellow; for as yet we see not our signs, neither does
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Room was Like and Oven
Sunday, 8.--We were at the minster [21] in the morning and at our parish church in the afternoon. The same gentleman preached at both; but though I saw him at the church, I did not know I had ever seen him before. In the morning he was all life and motion; in the afternoon he was as quiet as a post. At five in the evening, the rain constrained me to preach in the oven again. The patience of the congregation surprised me. They seemed not to feel the extreme heat or to be offended at the close application
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

What God Is
John iv. 24.--"God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." We have here something of the nature of God pointed out to us, and something of our duty towards him. "God is a Spirit," that is his nature, and "man must worship him," that is his duty, and that "in spirit and in truth," that is the right manner of the duty. If these three were well pondered till they did sink into the bottom of our spirits, they would make us indeed Christians, not in the letter,
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders,
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

That it is Profitable to Communicate Often
The Voice of the Disciple Behold I come unto Thee, O Lord, that I may be blessed through Thy gift, and be made joyful in Thy holy feast which Thou, O God, of Thy goodness hast prepared for the poor.(1) Behold in Thee is all that I can and ought to desire, Thou art my salvation and redemption, my hope and strength, my honour and glory. Therefore rejoice the soul of Thy servant this day, for unto Thee, O Lord Jesus, do I lift up my soul.(2) I long now to receive Thee devoutly and reverently, I desire
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Prayer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRAYER. WHAT is prayer? A sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God hath promised. The best prayers have often more groans than words. Alas, how few there be in the world whose heart and mouth in prayer shall go together. Dost thou, when thou askest for the Spirit, or faith, or love to God, to holiness, to saints, to the word, and the like, ask for them with love to them,
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers',
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Letter xvi to Rainald, Abbot of Foigny
To Rainald, Abbot of Foigny Bernard declares to him how little he loves praise; that the yoke of Christ is light; that he declines the name of father, and is content with that of brother. 1. In the first place, do not wonder if titles of honour affright me, when I feel myself so unworthy of the honours themselves; and if it is fitting that you should give them to me, it is not expedient for me to accept them. For if you think that you ought to observe that saying, In honour preferring one another
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake,
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments.
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians at the Table of the Lord;
COMPRISING I. HIS CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND REASON OF HIS PRACTICE; II. DIFFERENCES ABOUT WATER BAPTISM NO BAR TO COMMUNION; AND III. PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE[1] ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Reader, these are extraordinary productions that will well repay an attentive perusal. It is the confession of faith of a Christian who had suffered nearly twelve years' imprisonment, under persecution for conscience sake. Shut up with his Bible, you have here the result of a prayerful study of those holy
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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