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In Praise of God the Almighty

147 Praise the Lord!

It is good to sing praise to our God;
    it is pleasant and right to praise him.
The Lord is restoring Jerusalem;
    he is bringing back the exiles.
He heals the broken-hearted
    and bandages their wounds.

He has decided the number of the stars
    and calls each one by name.
Great and mighty is our Lord;
    his wisdom cannot be measured.
He raises the humble,
    but crushes the wicked to the ground.

Sing hymns of praise to the Lord;
    play music on the harp to our God.
He spreads clouds over the sky;
    he provides rain for the earth
    and makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives animals their food
    and feeds the young ravens when they call.

10 His pleasure is not in strong horses,
    nor his delight in brave soldiers;
11 but he takes pleasure in those who honor him,
    in those who trust in his constant love.

12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
    Praise your God, O Zion!
13 He keeps your gates strong;
    he blesses your people.
14 He keeps your borders safe
    and satisfies you with the finest wheat.

15 He gives a command to the earth,
    and what he says is quickly done.
16 He spreads snow like a blanket
    and scatters frost like dust.
17 He sends hail like gravel;
    no one can endure the cold he sends!
18 Then he gives a command, and the ice melts;
    he sends the wind, and the water flows.

19 He gives his message to his people,
    his instructions and laws to Israel.
20 He has not done this for other nations;
    they do not 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