1471 Praise the Lord ! For it is good to sing praises to our God ; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming . 2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem ; He gathers the outcasts of Israel . 3 He heals the brokenhearted e And binds up their wounds . 4 He counts the number of the stars ; He gives names to all of them. 5 Great is our Lord and abundant in strength ; His understanding is infinite e . 6 The Lord supports the afflicted ; He brings down the wicked to the ground . 7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving ; Sing praises to our God on the lyre , 8 Who covers the heavens with clouds , Who provides rain for the earth , Who makes grass to grow on the mountains . 9 He gives to the beast its food , And to the young ravens which cry . 10 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 .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 147:1-11
Commentary on Psalm 147:1-11
(Read Psalm 147:1-11)
Praising God is work that is its own wages. It is comely; it becomes us as reasonable creatures, much more as people in covenant with God. 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 others praise him also. Man's knowledge is soon ended; but God's knowledge is a dept that can never be fathomed. And while he telleth the number of the stars, he condescends to hear 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, therefore 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 delights not in things wherein sinners trust and glory; but a serious and suitable regard to God is, in his sight, of very great price. We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.