Praise the Lord for His Power and His Care

147:1 Praise the Lord, for it is good to sing praises to our God! Yes, praise is pleasant and appropriate! 147:2 The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem, and gathers the exiles of Israel. 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted, and bandages their wounds. 147:4 He counts the number of the stars; he names all of them. 147:5 Our Lord is great and has awesome power; there is no limit to his wisdom. 147:6 The Lord lifts up the oppressed, but knocks the wicked to the ground. 147:7 Offer to the Lord a song of thanks! Sing praises to our God to the accompaniment of a harp! 147:8 He covers the sky with clouds, provides the earth with rain, and causes grass to grow on the hillsides. 147:9 He gives food to the animals, and to the young ravens when they chirp. 147:10 He is not enamored with the strength of a horse, nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs. 147:11 The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers, and in those who wait for his loyal love. 147:12 Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! 147:13 For he makes the bars of your gates strong. He blesses your children within you. 147:14 He brings peace to your territory. He abundantly provides for you the best grain. 147:15 He sends his command through the earth; swiftly his order reaches its destination. 147:16 He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes. 147:17 He throws his hailstones like crumbs. Who can withstand the cold wind he sends? 147:18 He then orders it all to melt; he breathes on it, and the water flows. 147:19 He proclaims his word to Jacob, his statutes and regulations to Israel. 147:20 He has not done so with any other nation; they are not aware of his regulations. Praise the Lord! Psalm 148

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Psalm 147 calls God’s people to praise the Lord. He rebuilds Jerusalem, gathers the exiles, heals the brokenhearted, and lifts the oppressed. He also rules the stars, the weather, and the earth with wisdom and power. Yet he does not delight in human strength. He delights in those who fear him and wait for his steadfast love. He blesses Jerusalem with peace, provision, and security. Most of all, he has given his word to Jacob and Israel in a special covenant way.

This psalm begins and ends with praise. It says that praising the Lord is good, pleasant, and fitting. The reason for praise is not only that God is great, but also that he is kind to his people.

The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the exiles of Israel. He heals broken hearts and binds up wounds. His power is shown not only in restoration, but also in compassion.

The psalm then lifts our eyes to the heavens. God counts the stars and names them all. His wisdom has no limit. He also provides for creation. He sends rain, makes grass grow, and feeds the animals, even the young ravens.

At the same time, he does not value human might as people do. He is not impressed by horses or soldiers. He delights in those who fear him and wait for his loyal love.

The psalm turns back to Jerusalem. The Lord strengthens the city’s gates, blesses its children, gives peace, and provides grain. He also rules the weather. Snow, frost, hail, and thaw all obey his command.

The closing verses say that God has spoken his word, statutes, and judgments to Jacob and Israel in a unique way. This was a special gift to the covenant people. For that reason, they should praise the Lord.

• God is worthy of praise because praising him is good and fitting.
• The Lord restores Jerusalem and gathers the exiles of Israel.
• God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
• The Lord’s power and wisdom are greater than the stars and beyond measure.
• God lifts up the oppressed and brings the wicked down.
• The Lord provides rain, grass, and food for animals.
• God is not impressed by military strength.
• The Lord delights in those who fear him and wait for his steadfast love.
• God gives Jerusalem security, peace, children, and provision.
• The Lord rules the weather and all creation obeys his command.
• God gave his word, statutes, and judgments to Israel in a special covenant way.

• Praise the Lord.
• Give thanks to the Lord.
• Sing praises to God.
• Do not trust in military strength as the ground of security.
• Fear the Lord and wait for his steadfast love.

Psalm 147 shows the Lord as the God who restores his people, cares for the weak, rules creation, and gives his word to Israel. In the wider Bible, these themes fit the hope that God will fully heal, gather, and give peace to his people. Christian reading can see these hopes fulfilled in Christ, but the psalm itself speaks first about the Lord’s faithful dealings with Israel and Jerusalem.

Believers should praise God for both his greatness and his mercy. They should not rest their confidence in human power, wealth, or strength. They should learn to wait for the Lord’s loyal love. They should also thank God for his word and live under it with gratitude. And they should show the same care for the brokenhearted and the lowly that God shows.

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