All people everywhere are called upon to Praise the LORD (verse 1). Two different Hebrew verbs are used, both of which are translated “Praise” by Good News Translation; the first one is halal (as in the final Praise the LORD); the second one, shabach, is used very few times and is here rendered Extol by Revised Standard Version. In 147.12 the same two verbs are used, but in reverse order. The second line can be translated “Praise his greatness.”

This verse is quoted in Romans 15.11.

The reason given for the call to praise Yahweh (verse 2) is his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward his people. It seems to imply that the other peoples of the world are or will be in some way associated with the people of Israel in acknowledging Yahweh as the supreme God of all. For chesed “constant love” see 5.7 and comments; and for ʾemeth “faithfulness” see 15.2 and comments. Good News Translation “is strong” (also Bible de Jérusalem, New Jerusalem Bible, New English Bible) translates a verb meaning “to be over, be superior.” Bible en français courant has “strongest,” and New Jerusalem Bible “great.” As is often the case in many languages, Good News Translation “his faithfulness is eternal” must be recast to say, for example, “he is loyal to his people forever.”

For the concluding Praise the LORD, see 104.35.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Reyburn, William D. A Handbook on the Book of Psalms. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1991. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .