God’s Saving Word: Praise and Thanksgiving
Introduction
Psalm 147: Today’s psalm expands on themes found in yesterday’s reading (Psalm 146). These themes include God’s help and justice for the poor, the importance of trusting in God rather than in human leaders, and the glory of God’s creation. This psalm was written after the exile and praises God for restoring Jerusalem and bringing his people home.
Scripture Reading
In Praise of God the Almighty
147 Praise the Lord!
It is good to sing praise to our God;
it is pleasant and right to praise him.
2 The Lord is restoring Jerusalem;
he is bringing back the exiles.
3 He heals the broken-hearted
and bandages their wounds.
4 He has decided the number of the stars
and calls each one by name.
5 Great and mighty is our Lord;
his wisdom cannot be measured.
6 He raises the humble,
but crushes the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing hymns of praise to the Lord;
play music on the harp to our God.
8 He spreads clouds over the sky;
he provides rain for the earth
and makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives animals their food
and feeds the young ravens when they call.
10 His pleasure is not in strong horses,
nor his delight in brave soldiers;
11 but he takes pleasure in those who honor him,
in those who trust in his constant love.
12 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 He keeps your gates strong;
he blesses your people.
14 He keeps your borders safe
and satisfies you with the finest wheat.
15 He gives a command to the earth,
and what he says is quickly done.
16 He spreads snow like a blanket
and scatters frost like dust.
17 He sends hail like gravel;
no one can endure the cold he sends!
18 Then he gives a command, and the ice melts;
he sends the wind, and the water flows.
19 He gives his message to his people,
his instructions and laws to Israel.
20 He has not done this for other nations;
they do not know his laws.
Praise the Lord!
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 147:5
Great and mighty is our Lord; his wisdom cannot be measured.
Reflect
Reread verses 12-20. God’s blessings for Jerusalem include secure gates (meaning peace), many children, and good harvests. Verses 19 and 20 note that God has spoken a personal word to his people. God’s instructions and laws are given to Israel. Just as God expects nature to obey his word, so also does God expect people to obey him. What does it mean for you to obey God?
Pray
Praise the LORD! It is good to sing praise to you, O God; it is pleasant and right to praise you. May I find the strength and wisdom to obey your word and walk in your ways all my life. I seek to honor you, and I trust in your constant love. Amen.
And now, join us in praying for the continued work of Bible translation so that more people can know Christ as their Savior. Sovereign God, the New Testament was recently translated into Tay, the heart language of people in Vietnam, helping their faith in you to grow, and entire families are now accepting Jesus as their Savior. In Angola, Africa, hundreds gathered to celebrate the arrival of the New Testament in their Umbangala language, enabling the gospel to be shared in the heart language of the people. Thanks to the generous support of Bible-A-Month partners, Scripture translations in 81 languages used by 723 million people worldwide were completed last year. Yet more than 1 billion people are still waiting for Scripture in their heart language, and we pray and thank you, Lord God, for the continued support that will enable the work of Bible translation to continue. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 148: The universe is called upon to praise God.