Psalms 147:1-20·~1 min

It Is Good to Sing Praises

Praise is declared good and fitting because the LORD rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers the outcasts of Israel, heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. The same God who numbers and names the stars is great beyond measure, yet he stoops to lift the humble while bringing the wicked low.

H¹allelujah! ²The LORD builds up Jerusalem; ³He heals the brokenhearted ⁴He determines the number of the stars; ⁵Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; ⁶The LORD sustains the humble,

The congregation is called to sing with thanksgiving to the LORD who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills, and provides food for beasts and young ravens. His pleasure is not in muscular strength or swift legs, but in those who fear him and wait for his steadfast love.

⁷Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; ⁸who covers the sky with clouds, ⁹He provides food for the animals, ¹⁰He does not delight in the strength of the horse; ¹¹The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,

Jerusalem and Zion are summoned to praise the LORD who strengthens their gates, blesses their children, grants peace, and satisfies them with the finest wheat. His command also runs swiftly through the earth, sending snow, frost, hail, thaw, and wind at will, and above all he has declared his word, statutes, and judgments to Jacob in a way no other nation has known.

¹²Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; ¹³For He strengthens the bars of your gates ¹⁴He makes peace at your borders; ¹⁵He sends forth His command to the earth; ¹⁶He spreads the snow like wool; ¹⁷He casts forth His hail like pebbles. ¹⁸He sends forth His word and melts them; ¹⁹He declares His word to Jacob, ²⁰He has done this for no other nation;

Section summaryThe psalm opens by declaring that praise is good and beautiful because the LORD rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers exiles, heals the brokenhearted, knows the stars by name, and favors the humble over the wicked. It then calls for thankful song to the God who governs clouds, rain, grass, and food, whose delight is not in visible strength but in those who fear him and hope in his steadfast love, before summoning Jerusalem and Zion to praise the LORD who secures their gates, fills them with peace, rules the weather by his command, and has uniquely given Jacob his word and judgments.

Role in the chapterThis section functions as a hallelujah hymn that binds together restoration, creation, providence, and covenant privilege. Its work is to show that the LORD's praise is fitting precisely because his power is both immeasurably vast and intimately directed toward healing, sustaining, and ordering his people.