147
It Is Good to Sing Praises
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
He calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble,
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music on the harp to our God,
8 who covers the sky with clouds,
who prepares rain for the earth,
who makes grass to grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the animals,
and for the young ravens when they call.
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,
who hope in His loving devotion.
12 Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses the children within you.
14 He makes peace at your borders;
He fills you with the finest wheat.
15 He sends forth His command to the earth;
His word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17 He casts forth His hail like pebbles.† Or like crumbs or like morsels
Who can withstand His icy blast?
18 He sends forth His word and melts them;
He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.
19 He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and judgments to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know His judgments.‡ MT; DSS and LXX He has not made known to them His judgments
Hallelujah!