Psalms 147 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
Psalm 147 KJV
1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
2 The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.
3 He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
4 He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Psalms Chapter 64 continued
5 Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
6 The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.
7 Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
8 Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
9 He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
10 He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.
13 For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.
14 He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
16 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?
18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
19 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
20 He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the Lord.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 147:3
Verse: הַרְפָּא לַשְּׁבוּרֵי לֵב
Transliteration: Harpah la-shevurei lev
English: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Focus Word: שָׁבוּר (Shavur)
- Root: ש-ב-ר (Shin-Bet-Resh)
- Meaning: “Broken,” “fractured,” “shattered.”
- Deeper Insight: Shavur conveys human weakness and suffering, highlighting God’s restorative compassion.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| כִּי־טוֹב — ki-tov | Verse 1 — “For it is good to sing praises…” | “Good,” pleasant. | Ki-Tov (“good”) stresses the inherent value and beauty of worship. It describes praise as fitting and delightful. The term encourages joyful devotion. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| בּוֹנֵה — boneh | Verse 2 — “The LORD builds up Jerusalem…” | “To build,” construct. | Boneh (“to build”) depicts restoration of the covenant community. It highlights God’s constructive and healing work. The verb celebrates divine renewal. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| כִּנֵּס — kinnes | Verse 2 — “…He gathers the outcasts…” | “To gather,” collect. | Kinnes (“to gather”) signals compassionate restoration. It underscores God’s concern for the wounded and scattered. The term reinforces communal healing. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| רֹפֵא — rofe | Verse 3 — “He heals the brokenhearted…” | “To heal,” mend. | Rofe (“to heal”) describes divine mending of inner wounds. It captures emotional and spiritual restoration. The word highlights God’s gentle compassion. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| לְכַבֵּשׁ — lechabesh | Verse 3 — “…binds up their wounds.” | “To bind,” bandage. | Lechabesh (“to bind”) expresses tender care. It reinforces God’s pastoral role. The term complements healing imagery. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מוֹנֶה — moneh | Verse 4 — “He counts the number of the stars…” | “To count,” appoint. | Moneh (“to count”) displays divine precision. It contrasts cosmic immensity with God’s intimate attention. The word illustrates omniscience. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| גָּדוֹל — gadol | Verse 5 — “Great is our Lord…” | “Great,” mighty. | Gadol (“great”) emphasizes God’s vast power. It reveals the magnitude of divine strength and understanding. The term magnifies His supremacy. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| תְּבוּנָה — tevunah | Verse 5 — “…His understanding is infinite.” | “Understanding,” discernment. | Tevunah (“understanding”) highlights divine wisdom beyond measurement. It pairs with His greatness. The word enhances theological depth. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| סָמַךְ — samakh | Verse 6 — “The LORD lifts up the humble…” | “To uphold,” support. | Samakh (“to support”) expresses sustaining grace. It conveys divine care for the lowly. The word reinforces reversal themes. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| שַׁוְּעוּ — shav’u | Verse 9 — “…to the young ravens that cry.” | “To cry out,” call. | Shav’u (“to cry out”) illustrates divine responsiveness to helpless creatures. It magnifies God’s universal care. The term extends compassion even to animals. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 147 |
|---|---|---|
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Owen stresses God’s attentiveness to His people, highlighting His provision, healing, and control over nature. |
| George Lawson (University of Edinburgh, 1598–1678) | An Exposition of the Psalms | Lawson emphasizes that praising God flows naturally from recognizing His sustaining power. |
| Francis Taylor (University of Cambridge, 1589–1653) | Commentary on the Psalms | Taylor observes the Psalm’s emphasis on God’s care for the humble and His governance over creation. |
| Richard Sibbes (University of Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Sibbes notes that the Psalm inspires both gratitude and hope, encouraging reliance on God’s providence. |
| John Howe (University of Cambridge, 1630–1705) | The Living Temple | Howe portrays the Psalm as teaching that communal worship and acknowledgment of God’s power reinforce faith. |
