Psalm 147

Psalm 147

1 Praise the LORD!
How good to sing praises to our God!
How delightful and how fitting!2 The LORD is rebuilding Jerusalem
and bringing the exiles back to Israel.3 He heals the brokenhearted
and bandages their wounds.4 He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!
His understanding is beyond comprehension!6 The LORD supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.7 Sing out your thanks to the LORD;
sing praises to our God with a harp.8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.9 He gives food to the wild animals
and feeds the young ravens when they cry.10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse
or in human might.11 No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.12 Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates
and blessed your children within your walls.14 He sends peace across your nation
and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.15 He sends his orders to the world—
how swiftly his word flies!16 He sends the snow like white wool;
he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.17 He hurls the hail like stones.t
Who can stand against his freezing cold?18 Then, at his command, it all melts.
He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.19 He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.20 He has not done this for any other nation;
they do not know his regulations.
Praise the LORD!

PSALMS 147

Sing and Praise the [Lord]

1 Shout praises to the [Lord]!
Our God is kind,
and it is right and good
to sing praises to him.

2 The [Lord] rebuilds Jerusalem
and brings the people of Israel
back home again.

3 He renews our hopes
and heals our bodies.

4 He decided how many stars
there would be in the sky
and gave each one a name.

5 Our [Lord] is great and powerful!
He understands everything.

6 The [Lord] helps the oppressed,
but he smears the wicked
in the dirt.

7 Celebrate and sing!
Play your harps
for the [Lord] our God.

8 He fills the sky with clouds
and sends rain to the earth,
so that the hills
will be green with grass.

9 He provides food for cattle
and for the young ravens,
when they cry out.

10 The [Lord] doesn't care about
the strength of horses
or powerful armies.

11 The [Lord] is pleased only
with those who worship him
and trust his love.

12 Everyone in Jerusalem,
come and praise
the [Lord] your God!

13 He makes your city gates strong
and blesses your people.

14 God lets you live in peace,
and he gives you
the very best wheat.

15 As soon as God speaks,
the earth obeys.

16 He covers the ground with snow
like a blanket of wool,
and he scatters frost
like ashes on the ground.

17 God sends down hailstones
like chips of rocks.
Who can stand the cold?

18 At his command the ice melts,
the wind blows,
and streams begin to flow.

19 God gave his laws and teachings
to the descendants of Jacob,
the nation of Israel.

20 But he has not given his laws
to any other nation.
Shout praises to the [Lord]!