Psalm 147

He Heals the Brokenhearted

1. Praise the Lord! 1 For it is good to sing praises to our God; 1 for it is pleasant,[a] and a song of praise is fitting.

2. The Lord builds up Jerusalem; 2 he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

3. He heals the brokenhearted 3 and binds up their wounds.

4. He determines the number of the stars; 4 he gives to all of them their names.

5. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; 5 his understanding is beyond measure.

6. The Lord lifts up the humble;[b] 6 he casts the wicked to the ground.

7. Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; 7 make melody to our God on the lyre!

8. He covers the heavens with clouds; 8 he prepares rain for the earth; 8 he makes grass grow on the hills.

9. He gives to the beasts their food, 9 and to the young ravens that cry.

10. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, 10 nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,

11. but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, 11 in those who hope in his steadfast love.

12. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! 12 Praise your God, O Zion!

13. For he strengthens the bars of your gates; 13 he blesses your children within you.

14. He makes peace in your borders; 14 he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

15. He sends out his command to the earth; 15 his word runs swiftly.

16. He gives snow like wool; 16 he scatters frost like ashes.

17. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; 17 who can stand before his cold?

18. He sends out his word, and melts them; 18 he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.

19. He declares his word to Jacob, 19 his statutes and rules[c] to Israel.

20. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; 20 they do not know his rules.[d] 20 Praise the Lord!

Footnotes:
a. Psalm 147:1: Or for he is beautiful
b. Psalm 147:6: Or afflicted
c. Psalm 147:19: Or and just decrees
d. Psalm 147:20: Or his just decrees