Psalms 147

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 147

1¶ Praise 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.

12¶ Praise 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 hoarfrost 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 147 is a fervent call to praise the LORD, acknowledging His goodness and the comeliness of worship. It extols God's infinite power and understanding, seen in His healing of the brokenhearted, His control over creation, and His specific care for Israel. The psalm concludes by highlighting God's unique revelation of His word and statutes to Jacob, distinguishing Israel above all other nations.

Medium Summary

Psalm 147 begins with an exhortation to praise the LORD, emphasizing that such worship is good, pleasant, and fitting. The psalmist details God's benevolent actions, including His rebuilding of Jerusalem, His gathering of Israel's outcasts, and His healing of the broken in heart. God's omnipotence is further demonstrated by His knowledge of the stars and His control over natural phenomena like clouds, rain, and snow. He provides sustenance for all creatures, from grass on mountains to young ravens. The psalm clarifies that God's pleasure is not in human strength but in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy. It specifically calls upon Jerusalem and Zion to praise God for strengthening their gates, blessing their children, providing peace and sustenance, and for uniquely revealing His word, statutes, and judgments to Israel, a privilege not granted to any other nation.

Long Summary

Psalm 147 opens with a joyful command to praise the LORD, asserting that it is good, pleasant, and comely to sing praises to God. The psalmist immediately shifts to describing God's character and actions, noting His active role in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering the dispersed outcasts of Israel. A profound aspect of His compassion is His ability to heal the broken in heart and bind up their wounds. God's infinite power and understanding are underscored by His knowledge of the exact number and names of all the stars. He is depicted as one who lifts up the meek while casting the wicked down to the ground. The psalm reiterates the call to thanksgiving and praise with musical instruments. It then illustrates God's providential care over creation, showing Him covering the heavens with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, and causing grass to grow on mountains. He extends His provision even to the beasts and the young ravens that cry for food. Significantly, the psalm states that God does not delight in the strength of horses or the legs of men, but rather takes pleasure in those who fear Him and place their hope in His mercy. The focus then narrows to Jerusalem and Zion, urging them to praise God for His specific blessings: strengthening their gates, blessing their children, establishing peace within their borders, and filling them with the finest wheat. God's word is portrayed as a swift and powerful agent, controlling elements like snow, hoarfrost, and ice, and causing waters to flow with His command. The psalm culminates by emphasizing God's unique relationship with Israel, having shown His word, statutes, and judgments specifically to Jacob and Israel. This distinct revelation sets Israel apart, as no other nation has been granted such knowledge of His judgments, thereby concluding with another call to praise the LORD.

Core Concepts

  • Divine HealingGod heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds, demonstrating His compassion and restorative power for those suffering emotionally or spiritually.
  • God's Omniscience and OmnipotenceThe LORD's infinite understanding is shown by His ability to number and name every star, highlighting His supreme knowledge and power over creation.
  • Providential CareGod's active involvement in sustaining creation is evident in His provision of rain, grass, and food for all creatures, including the wild beasts and young ravens.
  • God's Pleasure in Fear and HopeThe psalm contrasts God's disinterest in human physical strength with His delight in those who revere Him and trust in His mercy, emphasizing spiritual qualities over worldly power.
  • God's Word as PowerThe LORD's commandment and word are depicted as swift and effective, controlling natural phenomena like snow, ice, and wind, demonstrating the active force of His decrees.
  • Unique Revelation to IsraelGod uniquely revealed His statutes and judgments to Jacob and Israel, a privilege not granted to any other nation, underscoring Israel's special covenant relationship.