Psalms 147
Psalm 147 unfolds with a focus on how the faith community praises God. Overall, it explains in three parts the reasons and grounds for praise, and in each paragraph reveals what God has done and offers spiritual gratitude for it.
1versePraise the LORD, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
2verseThe LORD builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3verseHe heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
4verseHe counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
5verseGreat is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.
6verseThe LORD upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.
7verseSing to the LORD with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8versewho covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.
9verseHe provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.
10verseHe doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11verseThe LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.
12versePraise the LORD, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!
13verseFor he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
14verseHe makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15verseHe sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.
16verseHe gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
17verseHe hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold?
18verseHe sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19verseHe shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
20verseHe has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise the LORD!
Part 1 – The God of Restoration (Verses 1-6)
In the opening section of Psalm 147 (verses 1-6), the psalm emphasizes God who rebuilds Jerusalem, God’s mercy that heals the brokenhearted, and God’s vastness in naming the stars one by one. The community experiences God’s restoring and healing hand and praises Him.
Part 2 – God’s Care for Creation and Nature (Verses 7-11)
The middle portion (verses 7-11) encourages readers to praise God through worship for caring for all the natural world. God sends rain on the earth, gives grass and animals their food, and delights in those who fear Him and desire His steadfast love, not in human strength. This becomes the basis for the community to trust God.
Part 3 – Special Grace for Israel (Verses 12-20)
The latter portion (verses 12-20) praises God’s special protection for Jerusalem and Zion and His grace in giving His word and statutes. It once again confirms that this is a privilege given only to God’s people, helping us come to realize how precious His word is.
Meditation Points
- Reflect on why you should praise God and what God’s grace you have experienced.
- As you look at how God cares for nature in detail and how He works through a human community, learn to trust Him with even the small parts of life.
- Give thanks for God’s word and guidance, and check whether God’s word is the center of your life.
Try Applying It to Your Life
- I too can remember the various moments of restoration in my life and offer gratitude and praise to God.
- By seeing the order of nature and the delicacy of life, I can renew my awe and trust toward God.
- Let me hold God’s word as precious and practice so that today’s life will be lived according to it.
