Psalms — Chapter 147

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1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.

17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

1Praise ye Jehovah; For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant, [and] praise is comely.

2Jehovah doth build up Jerusalem; He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

3He healeth the broken in heart, And bindeth up their wounds.

4He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by [their] names.

5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

6Jehovah upholdeth the meek: He bringeth the wicked down to the ground.

7Sing unto Jehovah with thanksgiving; Sing praises upon the harp unto our God,

8Who covereth the heavens with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

9He giveth to the beast his food, [And] to the young ravens which cry.

10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: He taketh no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11Jehovah taketh pleasure in them that fear him, In those that hope in his lovingkindness.

12Praise Jehovah, O Jerusalem; Praise thy God, O Zion.

13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

14He maketh peace in thy borders; He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15He sendeth out his commandment upon earth; His word runneth very swiftly.

16He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: Who can stand before his cold?

18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: He causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19He showeth his word unto Jacob, His statutes and his ordinances unto Israel.

20He hath not dealt so with any nation; And as for his ordinances, they have not known them. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 148

1Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God. Yes, praise is pleasant and appropriate.

2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the exiles of Israel.

3He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.

4He counts the number of the stars; he names all of them.

5Our Lord is great and has awesome power; there is no limit to his wisdom.

6The Lord lifts up the oppressed, but knocks the wicked to the ground.

7Offer to the Lord a song of thanks. Sing praises to our God to the accompaniment of a harp.

8He covers the sky with clouds, provides the earth with rain, and causes grass to grow on the hillsides.

9He gives food to the animals and to the young ravens when they chirp.

10He is not enamored with the strength of a horse, nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs.

11The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers and in those who wait for his loyal love.

12Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion.

13For he makes the bars of your gates strong. He blesses your children within you.

14He brings peace to your territory. He abundantly provides for you the best grain.

15He sends his command through the earth; swiftly his order reaches its destination.

16He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.

17He throws his hailstones like crumbs. Who can withstand the cold wind he sends?

18He then orders it all to melt; he breathes on it, and the water flows.

19He proclaims his word to Jacob, his statutes and regulations to Israel.

20He has not done so with any other nation; they are not aware of his regulations. Praise the Lord!

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!

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A Hallel psalm — God heals the brokenhearted and numbers the stars by name; His understanding is infinite; He delights not in military strength but in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Hallelujah Psalm / Hymn of Praise Attributed Author: Anonymous (post-exilic; references rebuilding Jerusalem) Key Themes: God rebuilds Jerusalem, He heals the brokenhearted, He counts the stars yet cares for individuals, God's power in nature, His delight in those who fear Him, His word running swiftly
Historical Context: Psalm 147 celebrates God's restoration of Jerusalem after exile AND His ongoing cosmic power. The psalm weaves together intimate care (healing broken hearts, v.3) with cosmic grandeur (counting and naming every star, v.4). It likely dates from the post-exilic period (Nehemiah's time) when Jerusalem's walls were being rebuilt. The God who rebuilds walls also rebuilds broken people. He gives the barley harvest AND gives snow. He sends His word to melt ice AND sends His word (statutes) to Israel. Creation and revelation flow from the same God.
Structure:
  • God Rebuilds Jerusalem and Heals Hearts (vv.1-6)
  • God Provides in Nature (vv.7-11)
  • God Strengthens and Blesses Zion (vv.12-14)
  • God's Powerful Word in Nature (vv.15-18)
  • God's Unique Word to Israel (vv.19-20)

Map & Geography

  • Jerusalem (v.2, v.12): Capital of Judah; the holy city where the Temple stood.
  • Zion (v.12): The hill on which Jerusalem/the Temple stood; often used poetically for God's dwelling.

Reflection

  • 1. He heals broken hearts AND counts stars (vv.3-4). God is not too big for your pain or too small for the universe. He does both simultaneously. The cosmic God is your personal healer.
  • 2. God is not impressed by human power (v.10). Horses and strong legs don't move God. What delights Him: fear and hope. You don't need to be impressive — you need to be trusting.
  • 3. His word runs swiftly (v.15). God's commands don't delay. When He speaks — to nature or to you — His word accomplishes instantly. His word is powerful and prompt.
  • 4. Israel received something unique (vv.19-20). God gave His statutes to Israel as to no other nation. The possession of Scripture is a privilege and a responsibility.