Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 147:12-20

"Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee. He maketh peace in thy borders; He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. He sendeth out his commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: Who can stand before his cold? He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye Jehovah." — Psalms 147:12-20 (ASV)

The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise him for all the benefits and blessings granted to her. These blessings are represented by his favors in the course of nature.

The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to the wind (John 3:8). Converting grace softens the heart that was frozen hard, melts it into tears of repentance, and makes good reflections flow, which before were chilled and blocked.

The change that the thaw makes is very evident, yet how it is done no one can say. Such is the change worked in the conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.