Read Psalm 147
Questions from the Scripture text: With what command does the Psalm begin (Psalm 147:1a)? What three things does it say about praise (verse 1b–c)? What does YHWH do for whom (Psalm 147:2a)? And what for whom else (verse 2b)? And what for whom else (Psalm 147:3)? How do Psalm 147:4, Psalm 147:5b describe His knowledge? And verse 5a His power? And Psalm 147:6a His goodness? And verse 6b His justice? In what manner are they to sing (Psalm 147:7a)? With what (priestly) instrument (verse 7b)? How does He show His power and goodness (Psalm 147:8-9)? What powers do not please Him (Psalm 147:10)? Who do please Him (Psalm 147:11)? Who are specifically commanded to praise in Psalm 147:12? What four things has He done for them (Psalm 147:13-14)? What does He send forth (Psalm 147:15a)? How fast does it go (verse 15b)? What does His power accomplish on the earth (Psalm 147:16-17a)? With what effect (Psalm 147:17b)? But what does He send to the rescue (Psalm 147:18a)? With what effect (verse 18b)? Where else does He send this Word (Psalm 147:19)? How unique is this privilege (Psalm 147:20a–b)? With what command does the Psalm conclude (verse 20c)?
Why should we praise the Lord? Psalm 147 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that praising the Lord is a great blessing, duty, and privilege.
Praising the Lord is a great blessing. It is good to do so (Psalm 147:1b). It is sweet to do so (NKJ “pleasant,” verse 1c). It is lovely to do so (NKJ “beautiful,” verse 1c). Enjoying God Himself, to His face, is the blessing and glory that God has in Himself from all eternity. And, it is the glory with which he saints are blessed into all eternity.
Praising the Lord is a great duty. Behold the display that He makes of Himself.
The Lord displays His goodness and mercy in gathering Israel’s outcasts (Psalm 147:2), those who suffer for their own sin, but to whom He gives the grace of a contrite heart, and to whose contrition He responds with healing (Psalm 147:3). And He displays it in lifting up the humble (Psalm 147:6a).
The Lord displays His wisdom in the stars that He has made and knows (Psalm 147:4), declaring to us that His wisdom is infinite (Psalm 147:5b).
In the stars, the Lord also displays His almighty power (Psalm 147:5a). It is that power that gives life and provision to all of His creatures (Psalm 147:8-9) by great acts in all of creation (Psalm 147:8a). The creature’s strength is not His pleasure (Psalm 147:10). His pleasure is in the reverence, repentance, and faith that His power and goodness give to sinners (Psalm 147:11).
And the Lord displays His justice in casting the wicked to the ground (Psalm 147:6b).
Every display the Lord makes of Himself and His character requires the correct response: praise. Praising the Lord is a great duty.
And praising the Lord is a great privilege. The praise is to be offered to YHWH (Psalm 147:7a) “our God” (verse 7b). Being His covenant people gives a special privilege of praise that is indicated by the priestly instrument in verse 7b, an instrument that is part of the provision of the temple and the priesthood.
Praise is particularly the privilege of Jerusalem and Zion (Psalm 147:12). He gives them deliverance (Psalm 147:13a), and blessing (verse 13b), and peace (Psalm 147:14a), and provision (verse 14b)… but most of all, He gives them His Word. The same Word that governs and operates the whole of creation (Psalm 147:15-18, cf. Hebrews 1:3) in a manner that dwarfs mankind (Psalm 147:17b), He declares to His Jacob, His Israel (Psalm 147:19). This is not only a great privilege, but an unique one (Psalm 147:20). Men do not have a right to the Word of God; it is a privilege that He gives to those to whom He elects to give it (verse 20a–b). And what is the height of the privilege of those who have this Word? To praise YHWH (verse 20c)!
How do you enjoy the praise of God? How can you grow in that enjoyment? What are some places and ways that you especially see His goodness? His wisdom? His power? His justice? How do you respond to these? How are you claiming and enjoying the privilege of praise that belongs to you?
Sample prayer: Lord, it is good and sweet and lovely to praise You. You care for the stars, the earth, the grass, the beasts, and the weather. But, it is especially to us that You have given Your Word and the privilege of enjoying You Yourself in Your praise. You are pleased with those who fear You and hope in Your mercy, so grant that Your Spirit would make us to fear You and hope in Your mercy, even as we praise You through Christ, in Whose Name we ask it, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP147B “O Praise the Lord, Jerusalem” or TPH147A “O Praise the Lord! How Good It Is”
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