John Calvin Commentary Psalms 147:9

"He giveth to the beast his food, [And] to the young ravens which cry." — Psalms 147:9 (ASV)

Who gives to the cattle their food. By giving this example, he explains more clearly what he had previously said about God providing food for every living creature. When he speaks of the cattle and the ravens being fed, and not humans, this is to give more emphasis to his argument.

We know that it was for humankind's sake that the world was made and endowed with fertility and abundance. The closer we are to God in the scale of existence, the more of His goodness He shows us. But if He condescends to notice the animal creation, it is clear that to us He will be a caregiver and a father.

For the same reason, he names the ravens—the most contemptible of all birds—to teach us that God's goodness extends to every part of the world. When he says that their young cry unto God, he undoubtedly refers to their natural cry. However, he also hints that they acknowledge they would be in need unless God gives them food from heaven.

Regarding the Jewish fable—that ravens desert their young as soon as they are hatched and that worms are produced in the bark of trees to feed them—this is one of their customary stories. They never hesitate, nor are they ashamed, to invent anything, however baseless, when a difficulty arises.

It is enough for us to know that the whole system of nature is so regulated by God that not even the young ravens lack their food. With a hoarse cry, they confess their need and acknowledge that it can only be supplied by God.