Psalms 147

Praise for God's Care for Jerusalem

¹Praise the LORD, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.

²The LORD 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.

⁶The LORD upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.

⁷Sing to the LORD 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.

¹¹The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.

¹²Praise the LORD, 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 the LORD!

Previous Psalms 146

Next Psalms 148

Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise celebrating God's comprehensive care for both His people and all creation. The psalmist calls for worship while highlighting God's restoration of Jerusalem, His healing of the brokenhearted, and His sovereign control over nature from the stars to the weather. The psalm emphasizes that God delights not in human strength but in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love, concluding with praise for His special revelation to Israel.

Context

This psalm continues the concluding Hallel collection's theme of comprehensive praise, building toward the crescendo of worship that culminates in Psalm 150.

Key Themes

Outline

1-6
Call to Praise God's Restorative Power Opening call to worship emphasizing God's rebuilding of Jerusalem, healing of the wounded, and infinite understanding.
7-11
God's Providence in Nature and Values Second call to praise highlighting God's control over weather and provision, contrasting divine values with human strength.
12-20
Jerusalem's Security and Israel's Privilege Final praise section focusing on God's protection of Jerusalem and His unique revelation of His word to Israel.

Praise for God's Care for Jerusalem

147:1–147:20

poetry song joyful

A psalm praising God for rebuilding Jerusalem, healing the brokenhearted, controlling nature, and revealing His word specifically to Israel among all nations.

theme_rarity

God's simultaneous healing of broken hearts and sovereign control over snow, wind, and stars creates the Bible's only direct pairing of divine tenderness with cosmic authority.

Insight Rare Theme

God's simultaneous healing of broken hearts and sovereign control over snow, wind, and stars creates the Bible's only direct pairing of divine tenderness with cosmic authority.