ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 147
“He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.”
Psalms 147:4
Yahweh speaks about the stars, revealing his great power and intimate knowledge of creation, which illustrates his authority and care over Israel.
What Psalm 147 is about
The psalmist calls the people to praise God, stating that it is good to sing praises to him (vv. 1-2). Yahweh heals the brokenhearted and gathers the outcasts of Israel (v. 3). He is mighty and powerful, understanding all things (vv. 4-5). The psalmist notes that God uplifts the humble but brings down the wicked (v. 6). With thanksgiving, the people are invited to sing praises to God, who provides for creation (vv. 7-11). Jerusalem is encouraged to praise Yahweh for his blessings, such as strengthening the gates and blessing the children within (vv. 12-14). God makes peace and provides food for the city (vv. 13-14). The psalmist describes God’s sovereignty over creation, commanding weather phenomena like snow and hail (vv. 15-18). Finally, God reveals his word and laws to Jacob and Israel, a privilege not given to other nations (vv. 19-20).
Praise Yah is a command that remains, affirming God's unique relationship with Israel and his authority over all.
Psalm 147 at a glance
- Psalm 147:1–2Call to Praise God
- Psalm 147:3–6God's Compassion and Justice
- Psalm 147:7–11Thanksgiving and Divine Favor
- Psalm 147:12–14God's Blessings on Jerusalem
- Psalm 147:15–18God's Sovereignty Over Creation
- Psalm 147:19–20Special Revelation to Israel
Key verse: Psalms 147:4
One thing to notice
Throughout the psalm, there is a focus on God's care for creation, particularly in vv. 8-9 and vv. 15-18. In these verses, God provides 'rain for the earth,' 'food for the livestock,' and controls the elements, showing his sovereignty over nature and his provision for living beings.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 147 (WEB)
Call to Praise God Psalm 147:1–2
1Verse 1. Praise Yah,for it is good to sing praises to our God;for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.2Verse 2. Yahweh builds up Jerusalem.He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
God's Compassion and Justice Psalm 147:3–6
3Verse 3. He heals the broken in heart,and binds up their wounds.4Verse 4. He counts the number of the stars.He calls them all by their names.5Verse 5. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power.His understanding is infinite.6Verse 6. Yahweh upholds the humble.He brings the wicked down to the ground.
Thanksgiving and Divine Favor Psalm 147:7–11
7Verse 7. Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving.Sing praises on the harp to our God,8Verse 8. who covers the sky with clouds,who prepares rain for the earth,who makes grass grow on the mountains.9Verse 9. He provides food for the livestock,and for the young ravens when they call.10Verse 10. He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse.He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.11Verse 11. Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him,in those who hope in his loving kindness.
God's Blessings on Jerusalem Psalm 147:12–14
12Verse 12. Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem!Praise your God, Zion!13Verse 13. For he has strengthened the bars of your gates.He has blessed your children within you.14Verse 14. He makes peace in your borders.He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
God's Sovereignty Over Creation Psalm 147:15–18
15Verse 15. He sends out his commandment to the earth.His word runs very swiftly.16Verse 16. He gives snow like wool,and scatters frost like ashes.17Verse 17. He hurls down his hail like pebbles.Who can stand before his cold?18Verse 18. He sends out his word, and melts them.He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
Special Revelation to Israel Psalm 147:19–20
19Verse 19. He shows his word to Jacob;his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.20Verse 20. He has not done this for just any nation.They don’t know his ordinances.Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 147
God's providence
In verses 2 and 14, the psalm declares that 'Yahweh builds up Jerusalem' and 'makes peace in your borders.' This affirms God's active involvement in the welfare of His people, particularly through the restoration of the outcasts of Israel and the provision of their needs. The text moves toward a communal recognition of God's ongoing care and support for the city and its inhabitants.
Praise
Verses 1, 7, and 12 serve as direct calls to 'Praise Yah' and 'Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving.' This theme of praise emphasizes the goodness of singing to God. It develops throughout the psalm as the people of Jerusalem are encouraged to lift their voices in gratitude for God's blessings and care.
Divine power
In verses 4-5, the psalm notes that 'He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.' This illustrates God's immense power and complete understanding of creation. The text continues with His sovereignty over nature in verses 16-18, where He commands the weather, demonstrating His authority over the natural world.
Creation
Verses 8-9 reveal God's role in creation, stating that He 'covers the sky with clouds' and 'provides food for the livestock.' The psalm describes God's sustaining power over the earth, leading to verses 16-18, where He sends snow and causes winds to blow, showcasing His command over the elements of nature.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 147 unfolds
Psalm 147:1–2 Call to Praise God
The psalmist calls to 'Praise Yah' for the goodness of singing praises (v. 1) and states that 'Yahweh builds up Jerusalem' while 'gathers together the outcasts of Israel' (v. 2).
Psalm 147:3–6 God's Compassion and Justice
God’s compassion is highlighted as he heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (v. 3), while his justice is shown in how he upholds the humble and brings down the wicked (v. 6).
Psalm 147:7–11 Thanksgiving and Divine Favor
The psalmist commands to 'Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving' (v. 7) and describes how God provides for creation, stating he 'takes pleasure in those who fear him' and 'hope in his loving kindness' (v. 11).
Psalm 147:12–14 God's Blessings on Jerusalem
Jerusalem is called to praise God for his blessings, including the strengthening of their gates and the blessing of their children (vv. 12-13), as well as the peace he makes in their borders (v. 14).
Psalm 147:15–18 God's Sovereignty Over Creation
God's sovereignty is displayed through his command over nature, including snow, frost, hail, and the cycle of water (vv. 15-18), showing his authority in creation.
Psalm 147:19–20 Special Revelation to Israel
God 'shows his word to Jacob' and 'his statutes and his ordinances to Israel' (v. 19), noting that he 'has not done this for just any nation' (v. 20).
Key verses
Psalms 147:4Yahweh speaks about the stars, revealing his great power and intimate knowledge of creation, which illustrates his authority and care over Israel.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 147
- observeIn v2, what does Yahweh do for Jerusalem and Israel's outcasts?
- observeWhat does v11 say Yahweh takes pleasure in?
- interpretIn vv. 10-11, why does the psalmist contrast human strength with fearing Yahweh?
- interpretIn v19, what does 'his statutes and his ordinances' imply about God's revelation to Israel?
- applyWhen have you experienced God's 'loving kindness' in a difficult time like in v11?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 147
- Psalm 34Psalm 147:3 and Psalm 34:18Both heal the broken in heart: Psalm 147:3 says, 'He heals the broken in heart', while Psalm 34:18 states, 'Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart'.
- Psalm 107Psalm 147:15 and Psalm 107:20Both send His word: Psalm 147:15 says, 'He sends out his commandment to the earth', while Psalm 107:20 states, 'He sends his word, and heals them'.
- Isaiah 61Psalm 147:3 and Isaiah 61:1Both bind up the broken hearted: Psalm 147:3 says, 'binds up their wounds', while Isaiah 61:1 states, 'to bind up the broken hearted'.
- Psalm 33Psalm 147:11 and Psalm 33:18Both take pleasure in those who fear him: Psalm 147:11 says, 'Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him', while Psalm 33:18 states, 'Yahweh’s eye is on those who fear him'.
- Isaiah 41Psalm 147:12 and Isaiah 41:10Both strengthen and help: Psalm 147:12 says, 'Praise your God', while Isaiah 41:10 states, 'I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you'.
- Zephaniah 3Psalm 147:11 and Zephaniah 3:17Both take pleasure in those who fear him: Psalm 147:11 says, 'Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him', while Zephaniah 3:17 states, 'Yahweh, your God, is among you'.
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