Psalms 147:1
Psalms 147:1 in Multiple Translations
Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Praise ye Jehovah; For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is comely.
Give praise to the Lord; for it is good to make melody to our God; praise is pleasing and beautiful.
Praise the Lord, for it's good to sing praises to our God! Praise is wonderful and beautiful!
Praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing vnto our God: for it is a pleasant thing, and praise is comely.
Praise ye Jah! For [it is] good to praise our God, For pleasant — comely [is] praise.
Praise the LORD, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.
Praise Yahweh! It is good to sing to praise our God. It is a delightful thing to do and the right thing to do.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 147:1
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 147:1 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַ֥לְלוּ
יָ֨הּ
כִּי
ט֭וֹב
זַמְּרָ֣ה
אֱלֹהֵ֑י/נוּ
כִּֽי
נָ֝עִים
נָאוָ֥ה
תְהִלָּֽה
הַ֥לְלוּ
hâlal
H1984
to shine
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
יָ֨הּ
Yâhh
H3050
LORD
N-proper
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
ט֭וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
זַמְּרָ֣ה
zâmar
H2167
to sing
V-Piel-Inf-a
אֱלֹהֵ֑י/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp | Suff
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נָ֝עִים
nâʻîym
H5273
pleasant
Adj
נָאוָ֥ה
nâʼveh
H5000
lovely
Adj
תְהִלָּֽה
tᵉhillâh
H8416
praise
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 147:1
הַ֥לְלוּ
hâlal
H1984
"to shine"
V-Piel-Impv-2mp
To be foolish means to act wildly or make a show, like the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:29. It can also mean to celebrate or boast, as in Psalm 38:5.
Definition: 1) to shine 1a) (Qal) to shine (fig. of God's favour) 1b) (Hiphil) to flash forth light
Usage: Occurs in 140 OT verses. KJV: (make) boast (self), celebrate, commend, (deal, make), fool(-ish, -ly), glory, give (light), be (make, feign self) mad (against), give in marriage, (sing, be worthy of) praise, rage, renowned, shine. See also: Genesis 12:15; Psalms 113:1; Psalms 5:6.
יָ֨הּ
Yâhh
H3050
"LORD"
N-proper
Jah is a shortened form of the name LORD, used in many compounds, such as names ending in -iah or -jah. It appears in the Bible as a way to refer to God.
Definition: A shortened form of the name ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068) used in many compounds as the letters 'Je' or 'jah'
Usage: Occurs in 46 OT verses. KJV: Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in '-iah,' '-jah.' See also: Exodus 15:2; Psalms 118:17; Psalms 68:5.
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
ט֭וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
זַמְּרָ֣ה
zâmar
H2167
"to sing"
V-Piel-Inf-a
This word means to sing or make music, often with praise and celebration. In the Psalms, it describes singing with instruments and voice, giving thanks to God. It's about joyful noise and worship.
Definition: 1) to sing, sing praise, make music 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to make music, sing 1a2) to play a musical instrument Aramaic equivalent: ze.mar (זְמָר "music" H2170)
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: give praise, sing forth praises, psalms. See also: Judges 5:3; Psalms 68:5; Psalms 7:18.
אֱלֹהֵ֑י/נוּ
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נָ֝עִים
nâʻîym
H5273
"pleasant"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes something that sounds pleasant or sweet, like music. It is used in Psalm 100:5 to describe the pleasantness of God's works. The word also appears in other passages, such as 2 Samuel 23:1.
Definition: 1) pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable 1a) delightful 1b) lovely, beautiful (physical)
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: pleasant(-ure), sweet. See also: 2 Samuel 1:23; Psalms 133:1; Psalms 16:6.
נָאוָ֥ה
nâʼveh
H5000
"lovely"
Adj
This word means something or someone is lovely or beautiful, like a pleasant scene in Genesis. It describes what is suitable or pleasing to the eye. In the Bible, it is used to describe beautiful places or people.
Definition: 1) comely, beautiful, seemly 1a) comely, beautiful 1b) seemly
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: becometh, comely, seemly. See also: Psalms 33:1; Song of Solomon 1:5; Psalms 147:1.
תְהִלָּֽה
tᵉhillâh
H8416
"praise"
N-fs
Tehillah means praise or a song of praise, often directed towards God. It can also refer to a hymn or an act of public praise, acknowledging God's qualities or deeds.
Definition: 1) praise, song or hymn of praise 1a) praise, adoration, thanksgiving (paid to God) 1b) act of general or public praise 1c) praise-song (as title) 1d) praise (demanded by qualities or deeds or attributes of God) 1e) renown, fame, glory 1e1) of Damascus, God 1e2) object of praise, possessor of renown (fig)
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: praise. See also: Exodus 15:11; Psalms 106:47; Psalms 9:15.
Study Notes — Psalms 147:1
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 147:1 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 147:1
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 147:1
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 147:1
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 147:1
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
- Sermons on Psalms 147:1
Context — It Is Good to Sing Praises
1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
2The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel. 3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 135:3 | Hallelujah, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. |
| 2 | Psalms 33:1 | Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. |
| 3 | Psalms 42:4 | These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise. |
| 4 | Psalms 92:1 | It is good to praise the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High, |
| 5 | Psalms 63:3–5 | Because Your loving devotion is better than life, my lips will glorify You. So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift my hands. My soul is satisfied as with the richest of foods; with joyful lips my mouth will praise You. |
| 6 | Revelation 5:9–14 | And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. |
| 7 | Revelation 19:1–6 | After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality. He has avenged the blood of His servants that was poured out by her hand.” And a second time they called out: “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises forever and ever.” And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne, saying: “Amen, Hallelujah!” Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!” And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. |
| 8 | Psalms 122:1–4 | I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. |
Psalms 147:1 Summary
[This verse tells us that singing praises to God is good and pleasant, and that's because it comes from a heart that loves and appreciates Him. When we praise God, we're not just singing songs or reciting words, we're expressing our deepest feelings of gratitude and adoration, as seen in Psalms 138:1-2. By praising God, we can experience joy and happiness, and it can bring us closer to Him, as described in James 4:8. So, let's make praising God a part of our daily lives, and see how it can bring us joy and fulfillment.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it good to sing praises to God?
Singing praises to God is good because it allows us to express our gratitude and love for Him, and it brings joy to our hearts, as seen in Psalms 100:1-5 and Ephesians 5:19.
What does it mean to praise God?
To praise God means to honor and worship Him, acknowledging His greatness and goodness, as described in Psalms 9:1-2 and Revelation 4:11.
How can we make praising God a pleasant and lovely experience?
We can make praising God a pleasant and lovely experience by doing it sincerely and with a willing heart, as encouraged in 1 Chronicles 16:23-25 and Hebrews 13:15.
Is praising God only for special occasions or can it be a part of our daily lives?
Praising God can and should be a part of our daily lives, as seen in Psalms 34:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where we are encouraged to give thanks and praise Him in all circumstances.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can express my praise to God today, whether through song, prayer, or acts of service?
- How can I cultivate a heart of praise, even in difficult or challenging situations?
- What are some things that I can praise God for in my life right now, and how can I share that praise with others?
- How does praising God affect my relationships with others, and how can I use praise to bring people together and build community?
- What would my life be like if I prioritized praising God above all else, and how can I make that a reality?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 147:1
Praise ye the Lord,.... When he shall reign, as Kimchi connects this psalm with the preceding; the arguments used to engage men to this work are taken partly from the nature of it, as in the next
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 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 four psalms (and probably the preceding psalm, Psalms 146:1-10), 147-150, form one whole.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
Psalms 147 THE This Psalm may seem, from ,13, to have been composed by some holy prophet after the return of Israel from the Babylonish captivity. It containeth an ample celebration of God’ s praises, both for common mercies and for special favors. The prophet exhorteth the people to praise God for his care over his church, ; his wisdom and government over all, ; and for his salvation to the faith, ,20. It is good; it is acceptable to God, and greatly comfortable and beneficial to ourselves.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
Psalms 147:1 Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.Ver. 1. It is good to sing praises] For, 1. Hereby we glorify God, Psalms 50:23, and so do him right; for he is the proper object of praises, worthy only to be praised, Psalms 18:32. Hereby we do good to ourselves, secure former favours, which else we forfeit, and procure further blessings, which else we forestall. Hereby also we make things good in themselves to become good to us. For it is pleasant] A very foretaste of eternal life; hence so many of David’ s psalms are eucharistical. And praise is comely] No fairer sight than to see God’ s altar covered with the calves of our lips, and ourselves in our priestly robes, giving thanks to his name, Hebrews 13:15, professing our no-deserts, and whole dependence upon him. As on the contrary, an unthankful man is an ugly, ill-favoured spectacle.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
(1) Psalms 135:3 is plainly before the poet in this verse; and yet, since Psalms 33 is in other respects his model, it is extremely doubtful whether we ought to change the reading, so as to make a complete correspondence between the verses, or suppose that the alteration was intentional, in accordance with “praise is comely for the upright” in Psalms 33:1. (See Notes on both the passages; comp. also Psalms 92:1.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
PSALM CXLVII The psalmist praises God for his goodness to Jerusalem, 1-3; shows his great mercy to them that trust in him, 4-6; he extols him for his mercies, and providential kindness, 7-11; for his defence of Jerusalem, 12-15; For his wonders in the seasons, 16-18; and his word unto Jacob, 19, 20. NOTES ON PSALM CXLVII This Psalm, which is without title in the Hebrew, Chaldee, and Vulgate, is attributed by the other Versions to Haggai and Zechariah. It was probably penned after the captivity, when the Jews were busily employed in rebuilding Jerusalem, as may be gathered from the second and thirteenth verses. It may be necessary to remark that all the Versions, except the Chaldee, divide this Psalm at the end of the eleventh verse, and begin a new Psalm at the twelfth. By this division the numbers of the Psalms agree in the Versions with the Hebrew; the former having been, till now, one behind. Verse 1. Praise is comely.] It is decent, befitting, and proper that every intelligent creature should acknowledge the Supreme Being: and as he does nothing but good to the children of men, so they should speak good of his name.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 147:1
1–6. Praise Jehovah, the restorer of Israel, the sovereign ruler of the world.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 147:1
Praise ye the Lord - Hallelu-jah. See Psalms 146:1. For it is good to sing praises unto our God - See the notes at Psalms 92:1 : “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” For it is pleasant
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 147:1
1. The change of one letter, ζξψδ, to ζξψε, makes it is pleasant become he is pleasant, and some critics have so rendered it.
Sermons on Psalms 147:1
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
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 |
|
|
Praise Him by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising and worshiping God. He warns those who serve in the ministry to not become mechanical or regimented in their worsh |
|
The Fear of God (04) Fruits of the Fear of God 2 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a story about seeing a large jackrabbit in the Sahara Desert. He then transitions to discussing the importance of walking in the fear |
|
|
Praise Him Always by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising and worshiping God. He warns those who serve in the ministry to not become mechanical or regimented in their worsh |
|
Studies in the Psalms 03 of Stars and Men by Neil Fraser | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God created the universe as a stage to portray the great drama of life. He highlights the tragedy of mankind focusing on studying the s |
|
|
On Eagles' Wings Pt 56 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker begins by quoting Psalm 147, emphasizing the importance of praising and worshiping God. The speaker then expresses a burden for revival, both in the lan |
|
|
(How to Understand the Kjv Bible) 31 Psalm 147 by Keith Simons | Keith Simons teaches on Psalm 147, emphasizing God's faithfulness in restoring Israel after exile and His intimate care for His people. The psalm begins with a call to praise God f |