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He Heals the Brokenhearted
147 Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
The LORD lifts up the humble;
he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the LORD!
(ESV)
Psalm 147 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Many scholars believe this psalm was prepared for use when the new city walls were completed by Nehemiah. What I find most fascinating is that the psalmist never grows weary of praising God. The psalmist emphasizes a contrast where God is both glorified the vast unexplained reality as well as the simple, personal aspects of life.
The Lord builds up the nation of Israel (big picture) but also gathers the outcasts (personal). He counts the number of stars (big picture) but also gives a name to each one of them (personal). He covers the earth with clouds and rain (big picture), but also provides food for young ravens which cry (personal).
Sometimes we can fall victim to missing the holistic qualities of God when we focus too much on one or the other. If we only know God in the broad scenarios, we lack personal connection. If we only know Him in the personal way, we miss the awe and wonder of His majesty.
This idea is precisely what this psalm is communicating.
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He does not take pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The LORD favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness.
Psalms 147:10-11 NASB
Once again, we see the big picture and personal attributes in those who the Lord favors. They fear Him (big picture) but also wait for His love (personal).
“He has no such delight in athletic strength or speed as He has in the reverent worship of His people. There is a perfect balance and rhythm in God’s nature.”
F.B. Meyer