Psalm 147
1 O praise the LORD! How good it is
to sing him songs of praise!
How pleasant to give thanks to him
for all his gracious ways!
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
and he it is alone
who reaches out to Israèl
to bring the exiles home.
3 He heals his people's broken hearts,
restores the bruised and the lame.
4 He sets the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord and great in power;
his wisdom is profound.
6 The LORD sustains the meek, but casts
the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thankfulness;
with joy his praise proclaim;
and with the music of the harp
give glory to his name.
8 He clothes the vast expanse of heaven -
the sky with clouds he fills;
he makes the rain refresh the earth
and grass grow on the hills.
9 He sees the beast that roam the fields
and feeds them when they call;
the ravens' young cry out to him,
and he supplies them all.
10 In horses strong, equipped for war,
the LORD takes no delight;
Nor does he care for proud displays
of human power and might.
11 the LORD takes pleasure in his saints
who worship him in fear,
and those who trust his steadfast love
will always find him near.
12 Extol the LORD, Jerusalem,
Zion, your God confess.
13 He makes secure your city gates,
and those within he'll bless.
14 the LORD will grant you peace within
the borders of your land,
and finest wheat will fill your fields
from his sustaining hand.
15 To all the corners of the earth
the LORD's commands proceed;
For when he speaks, his word goes forth
through all the world with speed.
16 He spreads the snow as wool, the frost
like ashes on the land.
17 He hurls forth icy hail like stones:
who can such cold withstand?
18 But when he sends his mighty word and makes the warm winds blow,
the frozen waters start to melt
and once again to flow.
19 To Jacob God declared his word
and makes his doctrines known;
His ordinance he reveals
to Israèl alone.
20 He has not dealt in such a way
with any other race -
to us alone he shows his laws.
O praise the LORD of grace!
lyrics from 'Sing Psalms'. Copyright Free Church of Scotland