Read & explore together
It Is Good to Sing Praises
Psalm 147 is a song that begins and ends with praise. It says praising God is good, pleasant, and fitting, then traces reasons for praise in God’s care for people, his rule over creation, and his word to Israel.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is poetry and song for God’s people. It moves from a call to praise into a list of what Yahweh does: he builds up Jerusalem, heals the broken-hearted, rules the skies and weather, provides for creatures, blesses Zion, and shows his word to Jacob and Israel.
Psalms 147:1–20Main takeaway
This psalm teaches that Yahweh is worthy of praise for his care, power, provision, and revealed word.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Praise suits GodThe psalm opens with a direct call to praise Yah. Singing praises to God is described as good, pleasant, and fitting.
Explanation
The psalm opens with a direct call to praise Yah. Singing praises to God is described as good, pleasant, and fitting. The song begins by showing that praise is not random or forced. It is the right response to who God is and what he does.
02He restores people in needYahweh is praised because he builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. He also heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds.
Explanation
Yahweh is praised because he builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel. He also heals the broken in heart and binds up their wounds. These lines speak about restoration, both for a city and for hurting people, using words of gathering, healing, and care.
03He knows the stars and lifts the humbleThe psalm then says Yahweh counts the stars and calls them all by name. This leads into a statement of his greatness, mighty power, and infinite understanding.
Explanation
The psalm then says Yahweh counts the stars and calls them all by name. This leads into a statement of his greatness, mighty power, and infinite understanding. Because he is so great, he upholds the humble, while the wicked are brought down to the ground.
04He sends rain and values faithful hopeAnother call to sing follows, this time with thanksgiving and music. Yahweh covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain, grows grass, and provides food for livestock and young ravens.
Explanation
Another call to sing follows, this time with thanksgiving and music. Yahweh covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain, grows grass, and provides food for livestock and young ravens. The psalm says he does not delight in visible strength, but in those who fear him and hope in his loving kindness.
05He blesses Zion and gives his wordJerusalem and Zion are called to praise because Yahweh strengthens gates, blesses children, gives peace, and fills the people with wheat.
Explanation
Jerusalem and Zion are called to praise because Yahweh strengthens gates, blesses children, gives peace, and fills the people with wheat. His command moves swiftly through the earth in snow, frost, hail, wind, and flowing waters. The psalm ends by saying he showed his word, statutes, and ordinances to Israel.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What words in the first verse explain why praise is appropriate?
Look for the three descriptions of praise in the opening line and use those exact ideas in your answer.
02How do Psalms 147:2-4 show both personal care and great power?
Notice the actions toward outcasts and the broken-hearted, then compare them with counting the stars and calling them by name.
03What does this psalm say Yahweh delights in, and what does he not delight in?
Compare the contrast between the horse and human legs with those who fear him and hope in his loving kindness.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 147:1–20
1Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him.
2Yahweh builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
3He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.
4He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.
6Yahweh upholds the humble. He brings the wicked down to the ground.
7Sing to Yahweh with thanksgiving. Sing praises on the harp to our God,
8who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.
9He provides food for the livestock, and for the young ravens when they call.
10He doesn’t delight in the strength of the horse. He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.
11Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his loving kindness.
12Praise Yahweh, Jerusalem! Praise your God, Zion!
13For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
14He makes peace in your borders. He fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15He sends out his commandment to the earth. His word runs very swiftly.
16He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
17He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can stand before his cold?
18He sends out his word, and melts them. He causes his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19He shows his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
20He has not done this for just any nation. They don’t know his ordinances. Praise Yah!