Chapter 147
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Praise 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.
12Praise 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.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Overview
Psalm 147 praises God as both the cosmic sovereign and the tender healer. He builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by name — His understanding is infinite. The LORD lifts up the meek and casts the wicked down. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow, and gives food to the beasts. He does not delight in the strength of horses or the legs of a man, but in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy. He sends His word and commandment swiftly to the earth.
Key Themes
The God Who Heals and Numbers Stars
The same God who counts and names every star also heals broken hearts and binds wounds — infinite power and tender compassion coexist perfectly in God.
God Delights in the Humble
God does not delight in military might or human strength but in those who fear Him and hope in His mercy — He values faith over force.
God's Word Governs All Things
God sends His word and it accomplishes His purposes — commanding snow, frost, ice, and wind, and declaring His statutes to His people.
Study Questions
How does the juxtaposition of counting stars and healing broken hearts (vv. 3-4) reveal God's character?
Why does God delight not in physical strength but in those who fear Him (vv. 10-11)?
What does it mean that God's 'understanding is infinite' (v. 5)?
How does this psalm's view of nature differ from both deism and pantheism?
How does the power of God's word over creation (vv. 15-18) relate to the power of His word in our lives?
Connection to Christ
Jesus is the Word sent forth that runs swiftly — the eternal Word made flesh who governs all creation. He healed broken hearts and bound up wounds during His earthly ministry. He numbered His disciples by name and knows every one of His sheep. He delights not in human achievement but in faith and humble trust.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Psalms 147. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?