give praise to the Lord

Psalm 147

1 Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
6 The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
12 Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
14 He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
15 He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
16 He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
17 He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!

This psalm begins and ends with praise to the Lord. In between this there are repeated calls to give praise to God and many of the reasons for this praise are given.
 
His calling- Spurgeon wrote: “Spiritually we see the hand of God in the edification of the church, and in the ingathering of sinners. What are men under conviction of sin but outcasts from God, from holiness, from heaven, and even from hope? Who could gather them from their dispersions, and make citizens of them in Christ Jesus save the Lord our God?” For this, we should give praise to God, for He has called us out of darkness and into the light.

His mercy- we have in this psalm a promise that God will build up Jerusalem but we also have the promise that God will not only heal the city but the inhabitants as well. Those that are brokenhearted in their sin can come to God in full assurance that the great physician will heal their wounds. It is because God is merciful to us that we should give Him praise.

His power- With all the advances that have taken place in my lifetime, it is easy to become confident in the flesh. We have a sober reminder here that God is far greater than anything we can imagine. He not only established the stars but gave them their names. His understanding is beyond measure. Recognition of this should lead to the humility that is necessary to give Him the praise.

His providence- Praise to Him who provides for us. God not only has provided for us but also for the lowly cattle of the earth. If He has taken such care to provide for the beast of the field and the bird of the air, how much greater care has He taken in providing for us who have been created in His image? It amazes me sometimes to think that the only being capable of expressing gratitude and recognition for this provision is also the only being that curses the One who gave him that ability. Praise His name!

His word- Finally and perhaps most appropriately we praise Him for His Word! The written word that tells us of His commands that we might know how to live. The written word that speaks of His glory. The written word that speaks of His son. The living word that gives life to those that read it. The living word that is able to save. The word made flesh that comforts our souls and heals our hearts and makes us whole. Give praise to His name. Amen.