John Calvin Commentary Psalms 147:19

"He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel." — Psalms 147:19 (ASV)

He announces His words to Jacob, and so on. Here, a different kind of word is spoken of than what was previously mentioned; for God speaks in a different way to the insensate works of His hands, which He silently subjects to His will by hidden laws imprinted on them, than He does to humans who are endowed with understanding, for these He teaches with articulate language, so that they may obey Him intelligently and willingly.

Although the blessings previously mentioned are not to be undervalued, they fall far short of this: that He has condescended to be the teacher of His chosen people by communicating to them that religious doctrine which is a treasure of everlasting salvation. How little would it benefit the Church to be filled with the perishing enjoyments of time and protected from hostile violence, if its hope did not extend beyond this world.

This, accordingly, is the grand proof of His love: that He has set before us in His Word the light of eternal life. For this reason, it is appropriately mentioned here as the crowning part of true, solid happiness. And let us learn from this that we should not only receive the doctrine of God with reverent and holy obedience but also embrace it with affection, for we can conceive of nothing more delightful and desirable than that God should undertake our salvation and testify to this by stretching out His hand to bring us to Himself.

For this is the purpose for which the doctrine has been given to us: that amidst the thick darkness of this world and the devious errors into which Satan misleads the children of men, the great Father of us all may by it shine a light before us on our path, before gathering us to the inheritance of heaven.

We should notice that the role fulfilled by Moses and the Prophets by divine appointment is here ascribed to God Himself. This is because we only give proper honor to the doctrine of religion and value it at its true worth when we lift our thoughts to God, who, while using human agency, still claims to be our chief and only teacher.

Thus, its proper majesty is attributed to the Word because of its Author. Again, He enhances the mercy shown by making a comparison, intimating that this had not been done for other nations. For if it is asked why God preferred one people over others, this preeminence will certainly lead us to gratuitous election as its source, since we will find that the children of Israel did not differ from others by any excellence of their own, but because God passed by others and condescended to adopt them into His favor.