# Psalm 147 š: He Heals the Brokenhearted
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[[-Psalm Overview]] | [[Psalm 146]] | [[Psalm 148]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]]Praise theĀ Lord,
for it is good to sing praises to our God.
Yes,Ā praise is pleasant and appropriate.
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ rebuilds Jerusalem,
and gathers the exiles of Israel.
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā He healsĀ the brokenhearted,
and bandages their wounds.
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā He counts the number of the stars;
he names all of them.
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā Our Lord is great and has awesome power;
there is no limit to his wisdom.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ lifts up the oppressed,
but knocksĀ the wicked to the ground.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā Offer to theĀ LordĀ a song of thanks.
Sing praises to our God to the accompaniment of a harp.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā He coversĀ the sky with clouds,
provides the earth with rain,
and causes grass to grow on the hillsides.
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā He gives food to the animals,
and to the young ravens when they chirp.
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā He is not enamored with the strength of a horse,
nor is he impressed by the warriorās strong legs.
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ takes delight in his faithful followers,
and in those who wait for his loyal love.
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā Extol theĀ Lord, O Jerusalem.
Praise your God, O Zion.
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā For he makes the bars of your gates strong.
He blesses your childrenĀ within you.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā HeĀ brings peace to your territory.
He abundantly provides for youĀ the best grain.
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā HeĀ sends his command through the earth;
swiftly his order reaches its destination.
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā He sends the snow that is white like wool;
he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā He throws his hailstonesĀ like crumbs.
Who can withstand the cold wind he sends?
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā He then orders it all to melt;
he breathes on it,Ā and the water flows.
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā He proclaims his word to Jacob,
his statutes and regulations to Israel.
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā He has not done so with any other nation;
they are not aware of his regulations.
Praise theĀ Lord!
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Psalm 147 is part of the final Hallelujah collection (Psalms 146 to 150).
2. The Lord building up Jerusalem and gathering the exiles (147:2) suggests a setting after the return from Babylon, perhaps in the time of Nehemiah.
3. God counting and naming the stars (147:4) echoes Isaiah 40:26.
4. Feeding young ravens when they call (147:9) is echoed in Job 38:41 and in Jesus' words in Luke 12:24.
5. Horses were the military power of the ancient world, but God is not impressed by them (147:10; Psalm 20:7).
6. God's word "runs swiftly" (147:15), a picture of His command carried like a messenger.
7. Snow like wool, frost like ashes, and hail like crumbs (147:16-17) are vivid pictures of winter weather that does come to Jerusalem's hills.
8. The Greek Septuagint divides Psalm 147 into two psalms at verse 12.
9. God strengthened the bars of Jerusalem's gates (147:13), a picture of security for a rebuilt city.
10. The psalm closes by noting God's special gift of His word to Israel (147:19-20; compare Romans 3:1-2).
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the One anointed to heal the brokenhearted (147:3). He read Isaiah's promise in Nazareth and declared, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing" (Luke 4:18-21).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. The same God who counts and names the stars also heals the brokenhearted (147:3-4). How does God's greatness and tenderness together encourage you?
2. The Lord does not delight in the strength of horses or human legs but in those who fear Him and hope in His loyal love (147:10-11). What kind of strength are you tempted to rely on?
3. God gave His word to Israel in a way He did not give to other nations (147:19-20). How should having God's word shape our gratitude and responsibility?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 3: He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.
- š verse 5: Our Lord is great and has awesome power; there is no limit to His wisdom.
- š verse 11: The Lord takes delight in His loyal followers, those who wait for His loyal love.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Luke 04#Verse 16.|Luke 4:16-21]] - Jesus is anointed to heal and set free.
- š [[Isaiah 61#Verse 01.|Isaiah 61:1]] - He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.
- š [[Isaiah 40#Verse 26.|Isaiah 40:26]] - He calls the stars by name.
- š [[Luke 12#Verse 24.|Luke 12:24]] - God feeds the ravens.
- š [[Nehemiah 12#Verse 27.|Nehemiah 12:27]] - The dedication of Jerusalem's wall.
## š Devotional Reflection
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š Internal Notes