Psalm 147
BSB
It Is Good to Sing Praises
1Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
2The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars;
He calls them each by name.
5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding has no limit.
6The LORD sustains the humble,
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music on the harp to our God,
8who covers the sky with clouds,
who prepares rain for the earth,
who makes grass to grow on the hills.
9He provides food for the animals,
and for the young ravens when they call.
10He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
11The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,
who hope in His loving devotion.
12Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion!
13For He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses the children within you.
14He makes peace at your borders;
He fills you with the finest wheat.
15He sends forth His command to the earth;
His word runs swiftly.
16He spreads the snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17He casts forth His hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand His icy blast?
18He sends forth His word and melts them;
He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.
19He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and judgments to Israel.
20He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know His judgments.
Hallelujah!
Introduction
Psalms 147
This is another psalm of praise. Some think it was penned after the return of the Jews from their captivity; but it is so much of a piece with Ps. 145 that I rather think it was penned by David, and what is said (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13) may well enough be applied to the first building and fortifying of Jerusalem in his time, and the gathering in of those that had been out-casts in Saul's time. The Septuagint divides it into two; and we may divide it into the first and second part, but both of the same import. I. We are called upon to praise God (Psa 147:1, Psa 147:7, Psa 147:12). II. We are furnished with matter for praise, for God is to be glorified, 1. As the God of nature, and so he is very great (Psa 147:4, Psa 147:5, Psa 147:8, Psa 147:9, Psa 147:15-18). 2. As the God of grace, comforting his people (Psa 147:3, Psa 147:6, Psa 147:10, Psa 147:11). 3. As the God of Israel, Jerusalem, and Zion, settling their civil state (Psa 147:2, Psa 147:13, Psa 147:14), and especially settling religion among them (Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20). It is easy, in singing this psalm, to apply it to ourselves, both as to personal and national mercies, were it but as easy to do so with suitable affections.
Cross-references: Ps 147:2 · Ps 147:13 · Ps 147:1 · Ps 147:7 · Ps 147:12 · Ps 147:4 · Ps 147:5 · Ps 147:8 · Ps 147:9 · Ps 147:15 · Ps 147:3 · Ps 147:6 · Ps 147:10 · Ps 147:11 · Ps 147:14 · Ps 147:19 · Ps 147:20