Add parallel Print Page Options

147 Praise the Lord.

How good it is to sing praises to our God!
    How pleasant and right it is to praise him!

The Lord builds up Jerusalem.
    He gathers the scattered people of Israel.
He heals those who have broken hearts.
    He takes care of their wounds.

He decides how many stars there should be.
    He gives each one of them a name.
Great is our Lord. His power is mighty.
    There is no limit to his understanding.
The Lord gives strength to those who aren’t proud.
    But he throws evil people down to the ground.

Sing to the Lord and give him grateful praise.
    Make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds.
    He supplies the earth with rain.
    He makes grass grow on the hills.
He provides food for the cattle.
    He provides for the young ravens when they cry out.

10 He doesn’t take pleasure in the strength of horses.
    He doesn’t take delight in the strong legs of warriors.
11 The Lord takes delight in those who have respect for him.
    They put their hope in his faithful love.

12 Jerusalem, praise the Lord.
    Zion, praise your God.
13 He makes the metal bars of your gates stronger.
    He blesses the people who live inside you.
14 He keeps your borders safe and secure.
    He satisfies you with the finest wheat.

15 He sends his command to the earth.
    His word arrives there quickly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool.
    He scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He throws down his hail like pebbles.
    No one can stand his icy blast.
18 He gives his command, and the ice melts.
    He stirs up his winds, and the waters flow.

19 He has made his word known to the people of Jacob.
    He has made his laws and rules known to Israel.
20 He hasn’t done that for any other nation.
    They don’t know his laws.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 147

Praise the Lord.[a]

How good it is to sing praises to our God,
    how pleasant(A) and fitting to praise him!(B)

The Lord builds up Jerusalem;(C)
    he gathers the exiles(D) of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted(E)
    and binds up their wounds.(F)
He determines the number of the stars(G)
    and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord(H) and mighty in power;(I)
    his understanding has no limit.(J)
The Lord sustains the humble(K)
    but casts the wicked(L) to the ground.

Sing to the Lord(M) with grateful praise;(N)
    make music(O) to our God on the harp.(P)

He covers the sky with clouds;(Q)
    he supplies the earth with rain(R)
    and makes grass grow(S) on the hills.
He provides food(T) for the cattle
    and for the young ravens(U) when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in the strength(V) of the horse,(W)
    nor his delight in the legs of the warrior;
11 the Lord delights(X) in those who fear him,(Y)
    who put their hope(Z) in his unfailing love.(AA)

12 Extol the Lord, Jerusalem;(AB)
    praise your God, Zion.

13 He strengthens the bars of your gates(AC)
    and blesses your people(AD) within you.
14 He grants peace(AE) to your borders
    and satisfies you(AF) with the finest of wheat.(AG)

15 He sends his command(AH) to the earth;
    his word runs(AI) swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow(AJ) like wool
    and scatters the frost(AK) like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail(AL) like pebbles.
    Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word(AM) and melts them;
    he stirs up his breezes,(AN) and the waters flow.

19 He has revealed his word(AO) to Jacob,(AP)
    his laws and decrees(AQ) to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;(AR)
    they do not know(AS) his laws.[b]

Praise the Lord.(AT)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 147:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 20
  2. Psalm 147:20 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls and Septuagint nation; / he has not made his laws known to them