Psalms 147
BSB1 Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him! 2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name. 5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit. 6 The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God, 8 who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. 9 He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man. 11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion. 12 Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion! 13 For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you. 14 He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat. 15 He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. 16 He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; 17 He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? 18 He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow. 19 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel. 20 He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!
Study Notes — Psalms 147
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 147
- Themes from Psalms 147
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 147
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Psalms 147 begins with a call to praise God, citing His wonderful works, such as building up Jerusalem and gathering the outcasts of Israel (Psalms 147:2-3). The psalmist then describes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, and how He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalms 147:3-6). The chapter also emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name (Psalms 147:4). The psalmist concludes by calling the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty (Psalms 147:7-9).
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 147 is part of the fifth book of the Psalms, which includes psalms 107-150. This book is characterized by its emphasis on praise and worship, and its focus on God's power and majesty. The chapter is likely a post-exilic psalm, written during the period of Israel's return from exile, and serves as a call to the people to praise God for His wonderful works and to trust in His goodness and mercy.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Psalms 147, we are reminded of the importance of praising God for His wonderful works and trusting in His goodness and mercy. We are called to cultivate a spirit of praise and thanksgiving, and to care for the vulnerable and marginalized in our own communities. May we be encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and power, and to seek to glorify Him in all that we do.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 147 is a psalm of praise, where the psalmist calls the people to praise God for His wonderful works. The chapter emphasizes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, and His power in creation. As we read this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of praising God and trusting in His goodness and mercy. We see this in verses like Psalms 147:3, which notes God's care for the brokenhearted, and Psalms 147:5, which highlights God's tender mercies over all His works.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. This is a truth which should be ever present to our minds, and should influence our thoughts and actions.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The psalmist calls us to praise God for His wonderful works, and to trust in His goodness and mercy. This is a call which we must heed, and which we must obey with all our hearts.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- Introduction to Praise (Psalms 147:1) — The psalmist calls the people to praise God, citing His wonderful works.
- God's Care for the Marginalized (Psalms 147:2-6) — The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need.
- God's Power in Creation (Psalms 147:4) — The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name.
- Call to Praise (Psalms 147:7-9) — The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty.
- Conclusion (Psalms 147:10-11) — The psalmist concludes by emphasizing God's pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love.
Core Doctrines
- God's Sovereignty
- The chapter emphasizes God's power and control over all creation, demonstrating His sovereignty and majesty.
- God's Goodness and Mercy
- The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need.
- The Importance of Praise
- The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty.
- God's Power in Creation
- The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name.
Lessons from Psalms 147
- The Importance of Praise — The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. This lesson reminds us of the importance of worship and adoration in our lives.
- God's Care for the Marginalized — The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need. This lesson highlights the importance of caring for the vulnerable and marginalized in our own communities.
- God's Power in Creation — The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name. This lesson serves as a reminder of God's majesty and sovereignty over all creation.
- The Importance of Trusting in God — The psalmist calls the people to trust in God's goodness and mercy, even in times of trouble or uncertainty. This lesson reminds us of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and power.
- The Importance of Worship and Adoration — The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. This lesson highlights the importance of cultivating a spirit of praise and thanksgiving in our daily lives.
Themes from Psalms 147
- Praise and Worship — The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty.
- God's Care for the Marginalized — The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need.
- God's Power in Creation — The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name.
- The Importance of Trusting in God — The psalmist calls the people to trust in God's goodness and mercy, even in times of trouble or uncertainty.
- The Importance of Worship and Adoration — The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty.
Questions for Meditation
- What are some ways that God has shown His care and compassion for you in your life?
- How can you cultivate a spirit of praise and thanksgiving in your daily life?
- What are some ways that you can care for the vulnerable and marginalized in your community?
- How can you trust in God's sovereignty and power, even in times of uncertainty or doubt?
- What are some ways that you can acknowledge God's greatness and majesty in your worship and adoration?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Introduction to Praise (Psalms 147:1)
| 147:1 | The psalmist calls the people to praise God, citing His wonderful works. |
2. God's Care for the Marginalized (Psalms 147:2-6)
| 147:2 | The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need. |
| 147:3 | The psalmist emphasizes God's care for the brokenhearted, and how He binds up their wounds. |
| 147:4 | The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name. |
| 147:5 | The psalmist notes God's tender mercies over all His works, emphasizing His goodness and mercy. |
| 147:6 | The psalmist emphasizes God's care for the oppressed, and how He brings the wicked down to the ground. |
3. Call to Praise (Psalms 147:7-9)
| 147:7 | The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. |
| 147:8 | The psalmist notes God's care for the earth, and how He provides for the creatures that live on it. |
| 147:9 | The psalmist emphasizes God's pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. |
4. Conclusion (Psalms 147:10-11)
| 147:10 | The psalmist concludes by emphasizing God's pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. |
| 147:11 | The psalmist notes God's delight in those who trust in His steadfast love, and who put their hope in His mercy. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 147?
The main theme of Psalms 147 is the call to praise God for His wonderful works, and to trust in His goodness and mercy. As seen in Psalms 147:1, the psalmist calls the people to praise God, citing His wonderful works.
How does God care for the marginalized?
According to Psalms 147:2-6, God cares for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need. For example, in Psalms 147:3, the psalmist emphasizes God's care for the brokenhearted, and how He binds up their wounds.
What is the significance of God's power in creation?
The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name (Psalms 147:4). This serves as a reminder of God's majesty and sovereignty over all creation.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 147:1 → Psalms 103:1 | Both Psalms 147:1 and Psalms 103:1 call the people to praise God, citing His wonderful works. |
| 2 | Psalms 147:2-6 → Isaiah 58:6-12 | Both Psalms 147:2-6 and Isaiah 58:6-12 emphasize God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, and call the people to care for the marginalized. |
| 3 | Psalms 147:4 → Genesis 1:1-31 | Both Psalms 147:4 and Genesis 1:1-31 emphasize God's power in creation, noting how He created the universe and all that is in it. |
| 4 | Psalms 147:5 → Matthew 25:31-46 | Both Psalms 147:5 and Matthew 25:31-46 emphasize God's care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and call the people to care for those in need. |
| 5 | Psalms 147:7-9 → Revelation 4:1-11 | Both Psalms 147:7-9 and Revelation 4:1-11 call the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. |
| 6 | Psalms 147:10-11 → Psalms 33:18 | Both Psalms 147:10-11 and Psalms 33:18 emphasize God's pleasure in those who fear Him and hope in His steadfast love. |
| 7 | Psalms 147:1 → Hebrews 13:15 | Both Psalms 147:1 and Hebrews 13:15 call the people to praise God, citing His wonderful works. |
| 8 | Psalms 147:4 → Job 38:1-41:34 | Both Psalms 147:4 and Job 38:1-41:34 emphasize God's power in creation, noting how He created the universe and all that is in it. |
| 9 | Psalms 147:5 → Luke 1:50 | Both Psalms 147:5 and Luke 1:50 emphasize God's tender mercies over all His works, emphasizing His goodness and mercy. |
| 10 | Psalms 147:11 → Psalms 37:3-7 | Both Psalms 147:11 and Psalms 37:3-7 emphasize God's delight in those who trust in His steadfast love, and who put their hope in His mercy. |
Sermons on Psalms 147
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Reading From the Beatitudes by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody emphasizes the profound blessings found in the Beatitudes, particularly focusing on the comfort promised to those who mourn and the meek. He explains that mourning signi |
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(Worship - Part 1): He Is Lord, Worship Him by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the purpose of God creating man, which is to worship Him. However, due to the fall of man through sin, humanity has failed to fulfill this p |
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Attributes of God (Series 2): The Omniscience of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a cracked piece of glass being transformed into a beautiful piece of art to illustrate how God can turn our brokenness into somethi |
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The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the supremacy of Jesus Christ in His eternality, constancy, knowledge, wisdom, authority, providence, power, purity, trustworthiness, justice, patience, obed |
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Convincing of Sin and Righteousness (Reading) by Robert Murray M'Cheyne | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of the Holy Spirit's work in convincing people of their sin and righteousness. He highlights that the Word of God, when preac |
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Where Do You Go With a Broken Heart? by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the question of where to turn when one's heart is broken. He emphasizes that God understands and empathizes with our pain, as demonstrated by |
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Developing Personal Leadership by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses various topics related to the preaching of the word of God. He mentions the importance of leaders having a clear mission and being |
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Useful for the Master - Part 2 by Jackie Pullinger | This sermon shares a powerful testimony of transformation and redemption, highlighting the journey of a person who was once living in darkness and skepticism but encountered the lo |
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Year-End Praise by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God and not being negative or complaining. He shares three reasons why praising God is beneficial. Firstly, praisi |
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The Impossibility of the Christian Life, Part 3 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying on Christ and not being independent from Him. He highlights the repetition of the word "cannot" in verses 4 and 5 |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 147
According to Matthew Henry, Psalms 147 is a psalm of praise, where the psalmist calls the people to praise God for His wonderful works. The chapter emphasizes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, and His power in creation. Henry notes that the psalmist's description of God's care for the marginalized serves as a reminder of our own responsibility to care for the vulnerable and oppressed. He also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and power, even in times of trouble or uncertainty. As Henry writes, 'The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. This is a truth which should be ever present to our minds, and should influence our thoughts and actions.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Care for the Marginalized
The psalmist notes God's care for the poor, the widow, and the fatherless, emphasizing His compassion and mercy for those in need. This observation highlights the importance of caring for the vulnerable and marginalized in our own communities.
God's Power in Creation
The chapter emphasizes God's power in creation, noting how He determines the number of the stars and calls them all by name (Psalms 147:4). This observation serves as a reminder of God's majesty and sovereignty over all creation.
The Importance of Praise
The psalmist calls the people to praise God with music and song, acknowledging His greatness and majesty. This observation highlights the importance of worship and adoration in our lives, and the need to cultivate a spirit of praise and thanksgiving.