Psalms 147
Read Psalms 147 (WEB)+
1Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him. 2Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. 4He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names. 5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite. 6Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground. 7Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God, 8who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains. 9He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call. 10He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness. 12Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion! 13For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you. 14He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat. 15He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly. 16He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes. 17He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold? 18He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19He shows his word to Jacob; his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.”
Psalms 147:4
Summary
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise celebrating God's providential care and power. The psalm begins by encouraging the faithful to praise the Lord, as it is good and fitting to do so. It acknowledges God as the builder of Jerusalem, gathering the outcasts of Israel, and healing the brokenhearted, highlighting His compassion and power. The psalm continues by describing God's mighty control over creation; He determines the number of the stars and calls each by name, showcasing His boundless wisdom and understanding. The Lord's power is contrasted with human frailty, reinforcing trust in God's strength over one's own. As the psalm progresses, it emphasizes the Lord's sustenance of the earth, providing for all creation, and underscoring His creative and sustaining action. The psalmist urges trust in God, rather than in military strength or human ingenuity.
Key Themes
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