Psalm 147
Psalm 147, Praising the God of Care and Creation
Scripture Text
Psalm 147:1, “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
Psalm 147:2, “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.”
Psalm 147:3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalm 147:4, “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.”
Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
Psalm 147:6, “The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.”
Psalm 147:7, “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:”
Psalm 147:8, “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.”
Psalm 147:9, “He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.”
Psalm 147:10, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.”
Psalm 147:11, “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
Psalm 147:12, “Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.”
Psalm 147:13, “For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.”
Psalm 147:14, “He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”
Psalm 147:15, “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.”
Psalm 147:16, “He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.”
Psalm 147:17, “He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”
Psalm 147:18, “He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.”
Psalm 147:19, “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.”
Psalm 147:20, “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.”
Introduction
Psalm 147 is another of the final Hallelujah psalms. It has no title in the Hebrew text, but it begins and ends with “Praise ye the LORD.” The psalm calls God’s people to praise Him because He is both infinitely great and deeply tender. He rules the stars, yet heals the brokenhearted. He commands snow, frost, hail, wind, and flowing waters, yet He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He builds Jerusalem, strengthens gates, blesses children, gives peace, fills His people with wheat, feeds beasts, and hears the cry of young ravens.
This psalm holds together truths that men often separate. God is transcendent and near. He is Creator and Redeemer. He governs nature and cares for wounded souls. He names the stars and binds up broken hearts. His understanding is infinite, yet He takes pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy.
Psalm 147 also has a strong covenant focus. God builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. He strengthens Zion’s gates, blesses her children, gives peace in her borders, and reveals His word to Jacob. The psalm likely fits well in the post exile setting, when Jerusalem was being restored and the people of God were being gathered again after judgment and captivity.
Yet the psalm’s praise reaches beyond that historical moment. It teaches the people of God in every age to praise the LORD for His care, creation, providence, humility toward the meek, justice against the wicked, pleasure in those who fear Him, and the priceless gift of His revealed word.
A. Praising God for His Protection and Preservation
1. Psalm 147:1, The Goodness of Hallelujah
Psalm 147:1, “Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”
The psalm begins with the call, “Praise ye the LORD.” This is Hallelujah, a command and declaration of praise. The worshiper calls others to praise, and he also joins in that praise himself.
The psalm then gives reasons why praise is fitting. “For it is good to sing praises unto our God.” Praise is good because God is worthy. Praise is good because it aligns the heart with truth. Praise is good because it gives God the honor due His name. Praise is good because man was created to glorify God.
Psalm 33:1, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.”
Praise is comely, fitting, beautiful, and proper for the upright. A redeemed people should be a praising people.
The psalm says praise is “pleasant.” True praise is not a burden to the renewed heart. It is a delight. It is pleasant because it lifts the soul from itself to God. It reminds the believer of God’s greatness, goodness, mercy, and faithfulness.
The psalm also says “praise is comely.” It is beautiful. Praise beautifies the soul, the congregation, and the worship of God’s people. Ingratitude is spiritually ugly, but praise is fitting and lovely.
The believer should therefore not treat praise as optional decoration. Praise is good, pleasant, and beautiful because the LORD is good, glorious, and worthy.
2. Psalm 147:2 through Psalm 147:6, The Care and Power of God
Psalm 147:2, “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.”
The first great reason for praise is God’s care for Jerusalem and Israel. “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem.” This likely refers to the restoration after exile, when Jerusalem had been broken down and needed rebuilding.
Nehemiah 12:27, “And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.”
After judgment and exile, the rebuilding of Jerusalem was a reason for thanksgiving. God was restoring what had been ruined.
The verse continues, “he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” The people scattered by judgment were not forgotten. God gathers outcasts. He brings home those who were cast away, broken, displaced, and exiled.
This is true historically of Israel, and it also reveals the character of God toward broken people. God gathers those whom others overlook. He restores those who have no strength to restore themselves.
Deuteronomy 30:3, “That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.”
God promised that after judgment, He would gather His people. Psalm 147 praises Him for doing exactly that.
Psalm 147:3, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
God not only rebuilds cities, He heals hearts. “He healeth the broken in heart.” The LORD cares for the inward wounds of His people. The brokenhearted may be wounded by grief, sin, betrayal, disappointment, bereavement, guilt, loss, discipline, persecution, or spiritual despair. God sees these wounds.
He also “bindeth up their wounds.” This is the language of a physician or shepherd who tends injuries carefully. God does not merely command the brokenhearted to get over it. He heals. He binds. He restores.
Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
God draws near to the brokenhearted. He does not despise the contrite.
This verse also points forward to the ministry of Jesus Christ.
Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach gospel to poor; he hath sent me to heal brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to captives, and recovering of sight to blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,”
Christ came to heal the brokenhearted. Psalm 147 reveals the heart of God, and Christ displays that heart in the flesh.
Psalm 147:4, “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.”
The psalm suddenly moves from broken hearts to the stars. This is intentional. The same God who bends near to heal the brokenhearted also numbers the stars and calls them all by name.
This destroys the idea that the universe is too large for God to care about the individual. God’s greatness does not make Him distant. His greatness enables His care. He is so great that He can rule the stars and bind wounds at the same time.
Isaiah 40:26, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all names by greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.”
God knows the heavenly host. He calls them by name. Not one fails apart from His knowledge and command.
If God numbers and names the stars, then surely He knows His people. He knows their names, their wounds, their tears, their fears, their needs, and their paths.
Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
The psalmist now gives the theological conclusion. “Great is our Lord, and of great power.” The LORD is not limited in strength. He is not like the idols of the nations. He is the living God with infinite ability.
His greatness is also seen in knowledge, “his understanding is infinite.” God’s understanding has no limit. He knows all things perfectly. He understands every star, every wound, every nation, every heart, every providence, every need, every future event, and every hidden thing.
Psalm 139:1, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.”
Psalm 139:2, “Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”
The God whose understanding is infinite also knows His people personally.
This is a comfort because the believer often does not understand his own circumstances. God does. His infinite understanding means He never misjudges, never forgets, never overlooks, and never acts foolishly.
Psalm 147:6, “The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.”
God’s greatness expresses itself morally. He lifts up the meek and casts down the wicked. The meek are the humble, lowly, afflicted, and dependent. God raises them.
The wicked may seem strong, proud, and secure, but the LORD casts them down to the ground. He reverses the proud order of a fallen world.
Proverbs 3:34, “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth proud, but giveth grace unto humble.”
God gives grace to the humble and resists the proud. Psalm 147 teaches the same truth. The LORD’s greatness is not merely cosmic power. It is righteous power, used to lift the meek and overthrow the wicked.
B. Praising God for His Work in Nature
1. Psalm 147:7 through Psalm 147:9, Exhortation to Sing Praises
Psalm 147:7, “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:”
The call to praise comes again. “Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving.” God’s people are not merely to think correct thoughts about God. They are to sing. Their theology should become thanksgiving.
Praise is directed to “our God.” This is covenant language. The LORD is not merely the God who exists. He is our God, the God who has chosen, redeemed, gathered, instructed, and cared for His people.
The harp reminds us that music has a place in worship. Instruments can help express thanksgiving when used reverently and skillfully for the glory of God.
Psalm 33:2, “Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with psaltery and instrument of ten strings.”
Psalm 33:3, “Sing unto him new song; play skilfully with loud noise.”
God’s people should bring Him thankful, thoughtful, and skillful praise.
Psalm 147:8, “Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.”
The psalmist praises God for providence in nature. God “covereth the heaven with clouds.” Clouds are not independent forces. They are under God’s rule.
He “prepareth rain for the earth.” Rain is one of God’s ordinary mercies. It waters the ground, sustains crops, fills rivers, supports animals, and provides for mankind.
He “maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.” Even places where men may not farm are cared for by God. The mountains receive grass by His provision.
Matthew 5:45, “That ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh sun to rise on evil and on good, and sendeth rain on just and on unjust.”
God sends rain in common mercy. Even those who do not thank Him live under His provision.
Psalm 147:9, “He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.”
God feeds the beasts. His providence extends beyond man to animals. He gives them food.
The verse specifically mentions “the young ravens which cry.” Ravens were unclean birds under the law, yet God feeds their young. This shows the breadth of His care. He provides for creatures men may ignore, despise, or consider insignificant.
Jesus taught the same principle.
Luke 12:24, “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than fowls?”
If God feeds ravens, His people may trust Him. The care of God for lesser creatures is an argument for confidence in His care for His children.
2. Psalm 147:10 and Psalm 147:11, What Delights the LORD
Psalm 147:10, “He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.”
God created the horse and gave it strength. He created man and gave him physical ability. Yet the LORD does not take ultimate pleasure in these things as men often do. Military power, speed, strength, athletic ability, and outward force do not impress God as they impress man.
This is especially important in the context of Jerusalem’s protection and national security. Israel must not trust in horses, armies, human legs, or natural strength.
Psalm 20:7, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember name of LORD our God.”
The horse may be useful in battle, but it is not the ground of trust. The strength of man may serve a purpose, but it is not what delights God.
Psalm 147:11, “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.”
What does delight the LORD? “Them that fear him” and “those that hope in his mercy.”
The fear of the LORD is reverent awe, submission, obedience, humility, and worship. It recognizes God’s holiness, greatness, authority, and goodness. God takes pleasure in those who fear Him because they rightly honor Him.
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom: and knowledge of holy is understanding.”
God also takes pleasure in those who “hope in his mercy.” Mercy here carries the idea of lovingkindness, covenant love, steadfast mercy, and faithful grace. God is pleased when His people trust His mercy. They do not hope in their own strength, goodness, ability, or merit. They hope in Him.
This verse holds fear and hope together. A godly man fears the LORD because God is holy and great. He hopes in the LORD because God is merciful and good. Fear without hope would become despair. Hope without fear would become presumption. Together, they form healthy faith.
C. Praising God for His Wisdom, Power, and Word
1. Psalm 147:12 through Psalm 147:18, More Praise for the God of Great Care and Power
Psalm 147:12, “Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.”
The call to praise is directed specifically to Jerusalem and Zion. The city that God built and restored must praise Him. The people who received His protection and blessing must respond with worship.
Jerusalem had reason to praise because she had known judgment, exile, ruin, and restoration. God’s mercy had not failed.
Psalm 147:13, “For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.”
The psalm gives specific reasons for Jerusalem’s praise. First, “he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates.” Strong gates represent security. God protected the city. He gave safety after vulnerability.
Second, “he hath blessed thy children within thee.” God’s blessing is not only on walls and gates, but on families and future generations. The children within the city are evidence of life, continuity, hope, and covenant mercy.
Psalm 127:3, “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
The blessing of children is a gift from God. A restored city with blessed children is a sign of divine favor.
Psalm 147:14, “He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.”
God gives peace and provision. “He maketh peace in thy borders.” Peace means more than the absence of battle. It includes safety, order, stability, and well being.
He also “filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.” This speaks of abundant provision. God does not merely defend His people. He feeds them.
Deuteronomy 8:7, “For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into good land, land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;”
Deuteronomy 8:8, “A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; land of oil olive, and honey;”
God’s covenant blessings included peace and provision. Psalm 147 praises Him for these gifts.
Psalm 147:15, “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.”
The psalm now turns from Jerusalem’s blessing to God’s command over the earth. “He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth.” God rules creation by His word. He commands, and creation responds.
Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
God’s word is powerful. He speaks, and it is done.
The verse says, “his word runneth very swiftly.” God’s command is not slow, weak, or uncertain. His word accomplishes His will with perfect speed and effectiveness.
The apostle Paul uses similar language in asking prayer for the spread of the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 3:1, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that word of Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”
As God’s command runs swiftly in creation, believers should pray that His word would run swiftly in gospel proclamation.
Psalm 147:16, “He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.”
God gives snow. He scatters frost. Weather is not outside His rule. Snow is compared to wool because of its whiteness, softness, and covering effect. Frost is compared to ashes because it is scattered over the ground.
The psalmist sees God’s hand in cold weather. The natural world is not impersonal machinery. It is governed by God.
Job 37:6, “For he saith to snow, Be thou on earth; likewise to small rain, and to great rain of his strength.”
God commands snow and rain. Weather belongs to Him.
Psalm 147:17, “He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”
God casts forth ice. His cold is irresistible. Man may prepare, shelter, and endure for a time, but no man commands the cold. God does.
The question “who can stand before his cold?” reminds man of his weakness before God’s power in creation. Human technology may reduce some discomfort, but man remains dependent on God’s world and God’s mercy.
Psalm 147:18, “He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.”
The same God who sends cold also sends thaw. He sends out His word and melts the snow, frost, and ice. He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
God rules both freezing and melting, winter and spring, stillness and flowing water. His word governs the seasons.
This also has spiritual application. The heart can become cold, hard, and frozen in sin, sorrow, or unbelief. God can send His word and melt it. By His Spirit, He can make waters of repentance, faith, and renewed life flow.
Ezekiel 36:26, “A new heart also will I give you, and new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you heart of flesh.”
God can soften what is hard. His word and Spirit accomplish what man cannot.
2. Psalm 147:19 and Psalm 147:20, The Presence and Goodness of God’s Word to Israel
Psalm 147:19, “He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.”
The same God who commands nature has revealed His word to His covenant people. “He sheweth his word unto Jacob.” This is one of Israel’s greatest privileges. God did not merely feed, protect, and restore them. He spoke to them.
He gave “his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.” Statutes and judgments refer to God’s revealed law, commands, ordinances, moral instruction, and covenant word. Israel was entrusted with the knowledge of God’s will.
Deuteronomy 4:7, “For what nation there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?”
Deuteronomy 4:8, “And what nation there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”
Israel’s greatness was not because of size, military strength, or natural superiority. It was because God drew near and gave them His righteous statutes and judgments.
Paul later identifies this as a chief advantage of Israel.
Romans 3:1, “What advantage then hath Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?”
Romans 3:2, “Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed oracles of God.”
The oracles of God were committed to Israel. They were entrusted with the Scriptures, the covenant promises, the law, the prophets, and the revelation that would ultimately point to Christ.
Psalm 147:20, “He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.”
God did not deal with the nations in the same way. He uniquely revealed His word to Israel. The nations had creation, conscience, and providential witness, but they did not have the statutes and judgments entrusted to Jacob.
This privilege was not given so Israel could boast in herself. It was given so Israel would obey God and bear witness to the nations.
Deuteronomy 4:6, “Keep therefore and do them; for this your wisdom and your understanding in sight of nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is wise and understanding people.”
Israel’s responsibility was to keep and do the word of God, so that the nations would see wisdom and understanding.
The final phrase is “Praise ye the LORD.” The psalm ends where it began. God’s restoration of Jerusalem, care for the brokenhearted, knowledge of the stars, provision for creation, delight in those who fear Him, command over weather, and revelation of His word all lead to praise.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 147 teaches that praise is good, pleasant, and beautiful. The people of God should sing praises to the LORD because praise is fitting for those who know Him.
The psalm teaches that God restores His people. He builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. The LORD remembers those scattered, wounded, and displaced.
Psalm 147 teaches that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. His power is not distant from human pain. The same God who numbers the stars cares for individual wounded souls.
The psalm teaches that God’s greatness reaches from the universe to the humble. He counts the stars, calls them by name, has infinite understanding, lifts up the meek, and casts the wicked down.
Psalm 147 teaches God’s providential care in nature. He covers the heaven with clouds, prepares rain, makes grass grow, feeds beasts, and hears young ravens when they cry.
The psalm teaches that God does not delight in outward strength as men do. He takes pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy.
Psalm 147 teaches that God gives security, future blessing, peace, and provision to His people. He strengthens gates, blesses children, gives peace in borders, and fills with the finest wheat.
The psalm teaches that God rules creation by His word. His command runs swiftly. Snow, frost, ice, cold, wind, melting, and flowing waters all obey Him.
Finally, Psalm 147 teaches the priceless privilege of God’s revealed word. He showed His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel. This was Israel’s privilege and responsibility, and it should move God’s people to praise the LORD.
