angela hormberg

Tag: Psalm 147

  • Psalm Singing: Psalm 147

    Psalm Singing: Psalm 147

    From The Psalms of David in Metre

    Praise ye the Lord; for it is good

    praise to our God to sing:

    For it is pleasant, and to praise it is a comely thing.

    God doth build up Jerusalem;

    and he it is alone

    That the dispers’d of Israel

    doth gather into one.

    Those that are broken in their heart and grieved in their minds,

    He healeth, and their painful wounds he tenderly up-binds.

    He counts the number of the stars; he names them ev’ry one.

    Great is our Lord, and of great pow’r; his wisdom search can none.

    The Lord lifts up the meek; and casts the wicked to the ground.

    Sing to the Lord, and give him thanks; on harp his praises sound;

    Who covereth the heav’n with clouds, who for the earth below

    Prepareth rain, who maketh grass upon the mountains grow.

    He gives the beast his food, he feeds the ravens young that cry.

    His pleasure not in horses’ strength, nor in man’s legs, doth lie.

    But in all those that do him fear the Lord doth pleasure take;

    In those that to his mercy do by hope themselves betake.

    The Lord praise, O Jerusalem; Sion, thy God confess:

    For thy gates’ bars he maketh strong; thy sons in thee doth bless.

    He in thy borders maketh peace; with fine wheat filleth thee.

    He sends forth his command on earth, his word runs speedily.

    Hoar-frost, like ashes, scatt’reth he; like wool he snow doth give:

    Like morsels casteth forth his ice; who in its cold can live?

    He sendeth forth his might word, and melteth them again;

    His wind he makes to blow, and then the waters flow amain.

    The doctrine of his holy word to Jacob he doth show;

    His statutes and his judgments he gives Israel to know.

    To any nation never he such favour did afford;

    For they his judgments have not known. O do ye praise the Lord.

  • Psalm Number

    Psalm Number

    Commonplace –

    “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God” (Psalm 147:6).

    This is a psalm of high praise and devotion. David delights the reader with many attributes of God, upon which it is good to meditate. Here he tells us that “it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely” (v.1.). Of God, David says:

    1. He builds up Jerusalem.
    2. He gathers together the outcasts.
    3. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
    4. He tells the number of the stars.
    5. He calls the stars by name.
    6. He is great in power.
    7. His understanding is infinite.
    8. God lifts up the meek.
    9. He casts down the wicked to the ground.
    10. He covers the heavens with clouds.
    11. He prepares rain for the earth.
    12. He makes grass grow upon the mountains.
    13. He gives food to the beasts and young ravens.
    14. He takes pleasure in those who revere Him and those who hope in His mercy.
    15. He strengthens the gates of His people.
    16. He blesses His children’s children.
    17. He brings peace to His children.
    18. He fills His children with the finest wheat.
    19. He sends forth His commandments; His word runs quickly.
    20. He gives snow and frost; He casts forth ice.
    21. He sends out His word, which brings warmth.
    22. He causes the wind to blow.
    23. He causes water to flow.
    24. He shows His statutes and His judgments to His people, He does this for no one else.

    Once again, David gives us an exemplary psalm for praising God, naming His wonderful attributes and works. After pondering this list, our place is put right in the world. What was big before now finds its rightful place in our day, and God rises to take His place, ordering our day aright. How can we but help praising God with David after this? It is pleasant to sing praise to God. As Matthew Henry notes, “This is another psalm of praise” (638). Let us put it in our memory and keep it close at hand, calling it forward when times are challenging and comfort is needed.

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 147.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg