Psalm 147

1Praise the Lord,

for it is good to sing praises to our God!

Yes, praise is pleasant and appropriate!

2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,

and gathers the exiles of Israel.

3He heals the brokenhearted,

and bandages their wounds.

4He counts the number of the stars;

he names all of them.

5Our Lord is great and has awesome power;

there is no limit to his wisdom.

6The Lord lifts up the oppressed,

but knocks the wicked to the ground.

7Offer to the Lord a song of thanks!

Sing praises to our God to the accompaniment of a harp!

8He covers the sky with clouds,

provides the earth with rain,

and causes grass to grow on the hillsides.

9He gives food to the animals,

and to the young ravens when they chirp.

10He is not enamored with the strength of a horse,

nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs.

11The Lord takes delight in his faithful followers,

and in those who wait for his loyal love.

12Extol the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13For he makes the bars of your gates strong.

He blesses your children within you.

14He brings peace to your territory.

He abundantly provides for you the best grain.

15He sends his command through the earth;

swiftly his order reaches its destination.

16He sends the snow that is white like wool;

he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.

17He throws his hailstones like crumbs.

Who can withstand the cold wind he sends?

18He then orders it all to melt;

he breathes on it, and the water flows.

19He proclaims his word to Jacob,

his statutes and regulations to Israel.

20He has not done so with any other nation;

they are not aware of his regulations.

Praise the Lord!