Psalms 147

1Hallelujah.It is good to chant hymns to our God;it is pleasant to sing glorious praise.

2GOD rebuilds Jerusalem,gathering in the exiles of Israel—

3healing their broken hearts,and binding up their wounds.

4[God] reckoned the number of the starsand gave each its name.

5Great and full of power is our Sovereign—whose wisdom is beyond reckoning.

6GOD gives courage to the lowly,and brings the wicked down to the dust.

7Sing to GOD a song of praise,chant a hymn with a lyre to our God,

8who covers the heavens with clouds,provides rain for the earth,makes mountains put forth grass;

9who gives the beasts their food,to the raven’s brood what they cry for.

10[God] does not prize the strength of horses,nor value the warrior’s fleetness;

11but GOD values those who show reverence,those who depend on God’s faithful care.

12O Jerusalem, glorify GOD;praise your God, O Zion!

13For the bars of your gates have been made strong,and your children have been blessed within you.

14Your realm has been endowed with well-being,and you have been satisfied with choice wheat.

15[God] sends forth words to the earthwith swift commands.

16[God] lays down snow like fleece,scatters frost like ashes.

17[God] tosses down hail like crumbs—who can endure such icy cold?

18[God] issues a command—it melts them;breathes, and the waters flow.

19Divine commands were issued to Jacob,God’s statutes and rules to Israel.

20This was not done for any other nation;of such rules they know nothing.Hallelujah.