Morning at a mended plain gate in the rough-stone wall of small rebuilt Jerusalem, two heavy bars drawn back, under a big calm sky.

Praise

Psalm 147

The God who counts the stars bends down to bandage a broken heart. Same breath, same God.

20 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 147

It Is Good to Sing Praises

Hallelujah!

How good it is to sing praises to our God,

how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

The first hour of work at a gap in Jerusalem’s wall: poor Judean men and a priest with his sleeves pushed up roll burned stones back onto the old line, a boy with a basket, a woman bringing water, one course laid.

The LORD builds up Jerusalem;

He gathers the exiles of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

A clear night over the hill country of Judah: David's Jerusalem small and dark on its ridge with a few warm lamps in its windows, a lone sentry on the plain stone wall seen from behind, leaning on his spear and looking up at a sky crowded with countless stars.

He determines the number of the stars;

He calls them each by name.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;

His understanding has no limit.

The LORD sustains the humble,

but casts the wicked to the ground.

Reflect

Which is harder for you to believe today: that God numbers the stars, or that He would bind up your wound? Why that one?

Clouds cover a hill-country sky, a veil of rain falls in the distance, and new grass greens the slopes.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;

make music on the harp to our God,

who covers the sky with clouds,

who prepares rain for the earth,

who makes grass to grow on the hills.

He provides food for the animals,

and for the young ravens when they call.

He does not delight in the strength of the horse;

He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,

who hope in His loving devotion.

Heavy ripe wheat fills the frame, with a plain walled town far off in clear light.

Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem;

praise your God, O Zion!

For He strengthens the bars of your gates

and blesses the children within you.

He makes peace at your borders;

He fills you with the finest wheat.

0:13

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Question

Quick question

Snow, frost and hail have all come down. Verse 18 undoes them.

What melts the ice in verse 18?

He declares His word to Jacob,

His statutes and judgments to Israel.

He has done this for no other nation;

they do not know His judgments.

Hallelujah!

You’ve experienced

Psalm 147

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A verse to carry with you

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

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