Psalm 147:1-11, 20c (NRSV)
Read Psalm 147:1-11, 20c on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
Verse 2The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
Verse 3He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
Verse 4He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Verse 5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
Verse 6The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Verse 7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
Verse 8He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
Verse 9He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
Verse 10His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
Verse 11but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Verse 20He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
What has God done? Words cannot express! God's works are great and God's works are small. God's works are general and God's works are specific. God names the stars in galaxies far away and tends to the young ravens when they cry. God is abundant in power, able to rule over all, yet, sends gentle rain to water our fields. The psalmist notices the works of God and reminds the audience to praise God for who God is and what God has done.
We, too, are those called to notice and respond to the many works of our God. God is still active and moving in our world at large and in our individual lives. God is still building up God's people and healing the brokenhearted. Look around! Look up! Look down and see what God has done, then give praise to the One who alone is worthy.
Prayer
Holy God, you alone are worthy of all our praise. Open our eyes to notice the many ways that you are present and working in our world and incite in us a spirit of praise. Amen.