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Praise the Lord! How good to sing praises to our God! How delightful and how fitting! (v. 1, NLT)
There are 150 Psalms. I believe that the collector of Psalms should have put Psalm 147 at the end.
Please do not throw mental rocks at me while reading this Interruption. I’m not trying to change scripture or demean the inspiration of the Spirit. I just think that Psalm 147 gives the best overview of the intention of all the Psalms.
How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! (v. 5)
I also think that Psalm 147 gives the best summation of the purpose of Jesus in our lives…
He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds (v. 3)
Psalm 147 was written as a worship song after the return of the Israelites from their Babylonian captivity. I love this Psalm because it best relates to believers who have returned to Jesus after walking in the dirt and grime of this world.
The Psalms contain promises to those who came back to Jerusalem from Babylon and to those of us who come to Jesus today…
Rebuilding (v. 2)
Healing (v. 3)
Supporting (v. 6)
Providing (v. 9)
Peace (v. 14)
The Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love (v. 11).
I find myself saying “Amen” not only to what God gives to those who love Him but to the descriptions in this Psalm of God and His compassion for Israel. Our great God loves us too.
He counts the stars and calls them all by name (v. 4).
He has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls (v. 13).
When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, they found a desolate land – no food, no crops for food, little vegetation, and lots of wild animals. Psalm 147 describes how the Lord restored the land immediately…
The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem and bringing the exiles back to Israel (v. 2).
He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures (v. 8).
He sends peace across your nation and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat (v. 14).
Psalm 147 concludes with an interesting verse.
He has not done this for any other nation (v. 20).
Only Israel received this type of blessing after the return from Babylon. No other ancient nation has returned and been restored to a former homeland.
I know Psalm 147 is a great Psalm as it describes what is happening in Israel right now as Jews return to Jerusalem from around the world. And also describes the blessings that will be ours if we follow Jesus now.
Psalm 147 doesn’t end the book of Psalms, but its message should conclude our lives!
To Israel then … to Israel now … to us now!