Psalm 147 ~ the LORD takes pleasure

Psalm 147

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio Bible

¹ Praise the LORD!For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant [for He is beautiful],
and a song of praise is fitting.
² The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
³ He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
⁴ He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
⁵ Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
⁶ The LORD lifts up the humble [afflicted];
he casts the wicked to the ground.

⁷ Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
⁸ He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
⁹ He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
¹⁰ His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
¹¹ but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.

¹² Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
¹³ For he strengthens the bars of your gates;
he blesses your children within you.
¹⁴ He makes peace in your borders;
he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
¹⁵ He sends out his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
¹⁶ He gives snow like wool;
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
¹⁷ He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs;
who can stand before his cold?
¹⁸ He sends out his word, and melts them;
he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
¹⁹ He declares his word to Jacob,
his statutes and rules to Israel.
²⁰ He has not dealt thus with any other nation;
they do not know his rules.
Praise the LORD!

The people of God praise Him for His mercies and care. Praising God is not work, but is the only gift given to the creator, the Most High God, our Father. Thanksgiving is the only sacrifice that is pleasing wholly to God. We cannot give Him gifts He gave us. It becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God! Salvation only comes from God, with Him all things are possible. God sent His son, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. He gathers outcast sinners by His grace, and will bring them into His holy habitation. To those whom God heals with the consolations of his Spirit, He speaks peace, assures them their sins are pardoned. And for this, let us praise Him also! Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is so deep that can never be fathomed. And while He tells the number of the stars, He hears the broken-hearted sinner.

While He feeds the young ravens, He will not leave his praying people destitute. Clouds look dull and melancholy, yet without them we could have no rain, and no fruit. Thus afflictions look black and unpleasant; but from clouds of affliction come showers that make the soul to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness. The psalmist does not delight where sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is: faith. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of knowing faith, hope and love in a gracious Father. ~ Paraphrase, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

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Other Scripture for Today Blogspot readings on Psalm 147:
July 1, 2011
December 31, 2010
February 12, 2010
November 21, 2010


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