Psalms

Psalms 147: Praise His restoring and ruling word

Begin in prayer

Before the Lord who names stars binds wounded hearts, let us consider His daily gifts and the word we have neglected. Ask Him to bring us to Jesus and teach us reverent hope in His kindness.

then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of your servants, and of your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on your land, which you have given to your people for an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the mighty Lord restores His people, provides daily food and rules by His word. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Praise is good and fitting because the Lord builds Jerusalem, gathers Israel's outcasts and heals broken hearts. The One who names every star has limitless understanding, upholding the humble and bringing the wicked down. Rain and grass provide food for livestock and young ravens, while His pleasure rests in people who fear Him and hope in His kindness. Jerusalem is called to praise the God who strengthened its gates, blessed its children and gave peace and good wheat. His swift word sends snow, frost and hail, and the same command melts them into flowing water. The Lord shows His word, statutes and ordinances to Israel, a gift other nations have not received.

As you read Psalms 147, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The mighty LORD restores His people, provides for His creatures and rules by the word He graciously gives Israel.

Rebuilding a city and binding a heart's wounds belong to the same mighty Lord. His knowledge numbers and names the stars, while His understanding itself has no limit. That power upholds the humble and brings the wicked to the ground. Rain reaches grass, livestock and calling ravens, showing providence that attends even creatures beyond the city's walls. God's pleasure in reverent hope directs people away from the horse's strength and their own strong legs. Jerusalem's secure gates, blessed children and good food give its inhabitants concrete reasons for praise. The word that swiftly sends winter also sends the thaw, so snow and flowing water answer the same command. His revealed statutes give Israel knowledge of the God whose word already governs the earth.

How does Psalm 147 show us that the mighty LORD restores His people, provides for His creatures and rules by the word He graciously gives Israel?

The mighty LORD gathers His outcasts and heals the brokenhearted.

The Lord builds Jerusalem and binds His people's wounds. He knows each star by name. His limitless understanding gives the humble help while bringing the wicked down.

The LORD provides daily food and delights in reverent hope.

Rain and growing grass lead to food for animals and young ravens. God takes no pleasure in a horse's strength or human legs. He delights in those who fear Him and hope in His loving kindness.

The LORD's powerful word rules the seasons and teaches His people.

God's word sends snow, frost and hail, then brings the thaw. The same Lord gives His statutes and ordinances to Israel. His people receive knowledge of His will that other nations have not received, giving them reason to hear and praise Him.

Memorise

He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what word from the Lord Jesus am I neglecting while depending on His daily gifts?

The Lord “heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” His powerful word also commands snow and thaw. The people receiving His statutes are called to praise the God who restores them.

We have received God's gifts while refusing His word and sinning against Him. Jesus offered His life for His people, accepting condemnation for their disobedience to restore guilty hearts to peace with God. He rose from the grave. His completed sacrifice has paid their whole debt and secured their forgiveness, giving guilty people the restoration their own strength cannot earn.

Turn from neglecting God's word and trust Jesus Christ. All who come to Him in faith receive forgiveness through His finished work. Bring Him the wound you have hidden and ask for reverent hope that listens to His commands. Those who belong to Him can praise their living Lord for His restoring care and the word that teaches them His ways.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the mighty Lord restores His people, provides daily food and rules by His word. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for healing, food and His revealed Word, and ask for reverent hope that hears Him. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel.

John 5:20

Mighty Lord, You know every star and every wounded heart. Please forgive our neglected hearing and bring us to Jesus for the pardon His sacrifice secures. Heal the brokenhearted, gather the outcast and give our children reverent hope in Your kindness. Thank You for food and the Scriptures You have given. Teach Your people to hear Your Word and praise Your restoring care. Amen.