Catholic Commentary on Psalm 147

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)

Good to Sing Praises

Psalm 147, possibly composed after the return from exile, celebrates the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the gathering of the exiles with a combination of historical thanksgiving and cosmic praise. The God who rebuilds the city is the same God who determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. The contrast is deliberate and consoling: the God of galaxies is also the God of broken hearts. He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds. The one whose understanding has no limit stoops to the smallest personal wound and applies his care with precision.

The psalm also celebrates the word of God in nature: he sends his command to the earth, his word runs swiftly, he spreads the snow like wool, scatters frost like ashes, hurls down hail. And then the parallel with divine revelation: he has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has not done this for any other nation; they do not know his laws. The Catechism notes that the gift of divine revelation, the word of God addressed to Israel and fulfilled in Christ, is itself a grace that the nations are called to receive in the Church (CCC 839). To have the word of God is to have the greatest privilege creation can receive.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the God who calls each star by name also knows your wound. The one whose understanding has no limit applies that understanding to the specific, particular, named grief or injury that you carry. He heals the broken-hearted. Bring your broken heart to the one who names the stars and let him bind the wound.

Prayer

Lord God, you rebuild Jerusalem and gather the exiles. You heal the broken-hearted and bind up their wounds. You call the stars by name and your understanding has no limit. Heal what is broken in us. Bind what is wounded. And let us praise you, for it is good and pleasant to sing praises to our God. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

147
It Is Good to Sing Praises
1 Hallelujah! * 147:1 Or Hallelu YAH, meaning Praise the LORD; also in verse 20
 
How good it is to sing praises to our God,
how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!
 
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers the exiles of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
He calls them each by name.
5 Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding has no limit.
6 The LORD sustains the humble,
but casts the wicked to the ground.
 
7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
make music on the harp to our God,
8 who covers the sky with clouds,
who prepares rain for the earth,
who makes grass to grow on the hills.
9 He provides food for the animals,
and for the young ravens when they call.
 
10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse;
He takes no pleasure in the legpower of the man.
11 The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him,
who hope in His loving devotion.
 
12 Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem;
praise your God, O Zion!
13 For He strengthens the bars of your gates
and blesses the children within you.
14 He makes peace at your borders;
He fills you with the finest wheat.
 
15 He sends forth His command to the earth;
His word runs swiftly.
16 He spreads the snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
17 He casts forth His hail like pebbles.† 147:17 Or like crumbs or like morsels
Who can withstand His icy blast?
18 He sends forth His word and melts them;
He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.
 
19 He declares His word to Jacob,
His statutes and judgments to Israel.
20 He has done this for no other nation;
they do not know His judgments.‡ 147:20 MT; DSS and LXX He has not made known to them His judgments
 
Hallelujah!

*147:1 147:1 Or Hallelu YAH, meaning Praise the LORD; also in verse 20

†147:17 147:17 Or like crumbs or like morsels

‡147:20 147:20 MT; DSS and LXX He has not made known to them His judgments

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