Psalm 147

The Lord Rebuilds Jerusalem

1Praise the Lord!

How good to sing praises to our God!

How delightful and how fitting!

2The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem

and bringing the exiles back to Israel.

3He heals the brokenhearted

and bandages their wounds.

4He counts the stars

and calls them all by name.

5How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!

His understanding is beyond comprehension!

6The Lord supports the humble,

but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

7Sing out your thanks to the Lord;

sing praises to our God with a harp.

8He covers the heavens with clouds,

provides rain for the earth,

and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.

9He gives food to the wild animals

and feeds the young ravens when they cry.

10He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse

or in human might.

11No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,

those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13For he has strengthened the bars of your gates

and blessed your children within your walls.

14He sends peace across your nation

and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.

15He sends his orders to the world—

how swiftly his word flies!

16He sends the snow like white wool;

he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.

17He hurls the hail like stones.*147:17 Hebrew like bread crumbs.

Who can stand against his freezing cold?

18Then, at his command, it all melts.

He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.

19He has revealed his words to Jacob,

his decrees and regulations to Israel.

20He has not done this for any other nation;

they do not know his regulations.

Praise the Lord!