Psalm 147:8–11; antiphon, Psalm 147:7—Psalm 147 is a great hymn of praise to God for His abundant power and His understanding beyond measure (v. 5), and, especially for His steadfast love (v. 11). It is well for us who fear the Lord to sing to the Lord with thanksgiving, because He has saved us from the futility of trying to earn our way into His good graces. He gives us the good things we need for this life, and has done everything necessary for our salvation.
Psalm 147 –
Praising the God of Care and Creation
This is another of the last five psalms that have no
title in the Hebrew text, but each of these last five begin and end with
Hallelujah or Praise the LORD!
Sing to the
LORD with thanksgiving: As we
understand God’s majesty in both its heavenly and earthly expressions, it
should create in us a natural response of praise. We bring our praise with
song, with thanksgiving, and with music (on the harp to our God).
“He is ‘our God,’
whether he be the God of other men or not. He is ‘our God’ by his choice of us.[2]
The Lord Himself was Abraham’s shield and great
reward. For “the word of the Lord came to
him” and sustained the patriarch’s faith in the face of death (Genesis
15:4). By divine grace, Abraham “believed
in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), on
account of the holy Seed, Christ Jesus. To that one old man, the Lord granted “as many descendants as the stars of heaven
in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Hebrews
11:12). The Lord is likewise faithful to you. It is His glad desire “to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).
Therefore, “consider the ravens” and
“do not be anxious for your life,” but
instead “seek for His kingdom” (Luke 12:22, 31).
Collect for
Psalm 147: God our Father, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number
of the stars and call each of them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather
those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the plenitude of your
eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ our Lord. [3]
[2] https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-147/
[3] Collect for Psalm 147, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
[4] ibid
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