September 27, 2023 — Psalm 147

“Praise the LORD! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. The LORD lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.” (Verses 1-11)

Psalm 147 is the second of a group of five Psalms called the Hallelujah Psalms that conclude the book of Psalms. As we review the items of praise, it becomes immediately apparent that each part of the hymn combines activities that concern the community of the Lord’s people and deeds that concern the world at large. “The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.”

The Lord gives hope to the last, lost, least and little, and also numbers and names the stars and the hairs on our heads. The two kinds of actions, giving hope and naming are placed alongside each other to create what seems to be an indiscriminate image for all to see. So there is a theological purpose behind this mingling. Two kinds of experience are being brought together: gathering the lowly and making it apparent that the Lord knows them by name.

Usually it is the forgotten and the lowly who believe that the Lord has forgotten them. As such, in this view of G-d’s mysterious ways, the community of faith has an important responsibility. The history of the community of faith is a small part of our visible reality, but the power that moves this community to give hope to the hopeless has the same power as G-d’s creating will. The processes of the world are vast, impersonal, and uncaring, and usually seem to be winning the day. But the love, mercy and saving power of Jesus Christ reminds us that G-d has not forsaken nor forgotten us.

Let us Pray:

Loving God, great builder of the heavenly Jerusalem, you know the number of the stars and call them by name. Heal hearts that are broken, gather those who have been scattered, and enrich us all from the fullness of your eternal wisdom, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave