Psalm 147

God Heals the Brokenhearted

 

 

Psalm 147 and Psalm 148 (tomorrow's study) are the last of the THANKSGIVING PSALMS.  These psalms remind us that every prayer we utter should include the element of thanksgiving.  These psalms make us aware of God's blessings and lead us to express our thanks with feeling and conviction.  The God of Israel -  what He has done, what He does, what He can do—this is the "Hallelujah" note of His song.

There is no place in human literature where you can find such praise as there is in the Psalms of David.   ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Psalm 147 is comprised of 3 hymns:

1. the first concerns God's care of the returning Israelite exiles
2. the second stresses God's provisions for creation 
3. the third notes God's dealings with Israel & Jerusalem through His word 

He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power,
His understanding is infinite.
~ Ps. 147:4-5

Regarding these verses above, God's knowledge of the stars suggests that He is more than equal to the problems of humankind.  His power and understanding far surpass any other resource from which we may draw.

 

Have you ever wondered what you can possibly do to please God?  How your life can be one that is pleasing to the Lord?  Verse 11 tells us:

 

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,

In those who hope in His mercy.

~ Ps. 147:10

 

A sincere Christian is known by both these; a fear of God, or a constant obedience to His commands, and an affiance, trust, and dependence upon His mercies.

~ Thomas Manton

 

I love verses 15 - 18 which declare God's mighty acts in nature!  Here again the Psalmist sees God directly and personally at work.  In verses 19-20, God's creative word becomes His redeeming Word for Israel.

 

WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• God loves & blesses Jerusalem and His children
• God is great and His works are awesome
• God heals the brokenhearted
• God is Creator - He knows the stars by name, and all of nature obeys His voice!
• God is worthy of my praise
• God takes pleasure in those who fear Him

HOW CAN I PRAISE GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• I praise the Lord that He binds up my broken heart
• I praise God for the majesty of His works in nature and creation, and how He reveals His power & might through them
• I praise God for His redeeming Word

 PRAYER: a beautiful psalm of praise by Ruth Myers:

 

     I magnify You, O Lord, I exalt Your name, for You are great and highly to be praised.  I praise You for the glorious splendor of Your majesty and the power of Your awe-inspiring acts.  Your power is unlimited . . . absolute . . . beyond imagining.  You are able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or dream of.  Who is like You, 'majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?'

     O Lord Most High, Your rule over the heavens and the earth, for You made all things by Your great power, and You keep them existing and working by Your mighty word.  You are exalted high above every star and galaxy in the entire cosmos . . . yet You are also "the God of all mankind," the great, personally present, personally involved God who loves, rescues, and takes care of all who trust You.  You exercise Your gracious authority over all nations - and over each individual in all the world.  There is none like You, the true God, the living God, the everlasting King.  

     Praise the Lord!  Amen and amen!