The author of Psalm 147 is not known, but the author shares with us that God's greatest joy comes from our genuine worship and trust.
Psalm 147:5 - "Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit"
Sometimes we feel as if we don't understand ourselves - what we want, how we feel, what's wrong with us, or what we should do about it. But God's understanding has no limit and therefore he understands us fully. If you feel troubled and don't understand yourself, remember that God understands you perfectly. Take your mind off yourself and focus it on God. Strive to become more and more like him. The more you learn about God and his ways, the better you will understand yourself.
Psalm 147:10 - "... the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love"
We spend much effort trying to sharpen our skills or increase our strength. There is nothing wrong with doing so, and in fact, our gifts can be used to glorify God. But when we use our skills with no regard for God, they are indeed worth little. It is our fear (reverence) and trust that God desires. When he has those then he will use our skills and strength in ways far greater than we can imagine.
Psalm 147:19,20 - "He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. 20-He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws. Praise the LORD"
The nation of Israel (the descendants of Jacob) was special to God because to its people God brought his laws and through its people he sent his Son, Jesus Christ. Now any individual who follows God is just as special to him. In fact, the Bible says that the real nation of Israel is not a specific people or geographic place, but the community of all who believe in and obey God.
Psalm 147 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 Praise the Lord.
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and fitting to praise him!
2 The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.
6 The Lord sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;;
make music to our God on the harp.
8 He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the cattle
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the legs of a man;
11 the Lord delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.
12 Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion,
13 for he strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses your people within you.
14 He grants peace to your borders
and satisfies you with the finest of wheat.
15 He sends his command to the earth;
his word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool
and scatters the frost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles.
Who can withstand his icy blast?
18 He sends his word and melts them;
he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
19 He has revealed his word to Jacob,
his laws and decrees to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know his laws,
Praise the Lord.