In the realm of the Divine, blessings abound,
Commands are sent, His words resound.
Swift as the wind, they race across the sky,
A special revelation, a gift from on high.
His word and laws, a privilege we hold,
More precious than silver, more valuable than gold.
In His active care, we find our rest,
With peace and provision, we are truly blessed.
He strengthens us with His mighty hand,
In His presence, we securely stand.
He grants us peace, calms our fears,
Fills us with the best, wipes away our tears.
So let us praise, let our voices ring,
To our God, our Maker, our King.
Expressing gratitude, deep and profound,
For the unique relationship in Him we've found.
REFLECTION:
He has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. (Psalm 147:13-14)
God has bestowed upon us His blessings. He sends out commands and His words run swiftly giving us a special revelation. His word and laws is a privilege given to us.
God’s active care and power strengthens us, grants peace, provides for our needs, fills us with the best.
Let us continually praise and express our deepest gratitude to God for His unique relationship with us as His people.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging the blessings You have bestowed upon us. You send out Your commands and Your words run swiftly, giving us a special revelation. We recognize that Your word and laws are a privilege given to us.
We thank You for Your active care and power that strengthens us. You grant us peace, provide for our needs, and fill us with the best. We are truly grateful for these blessings.
Help us to continually praise You and express our deepest gratitude for Your unique relationship with us as Your people. May we always remember Your goodness and love, and may our lives reflect Your glory.
In Jesus' name, we pray.
Amen.
Pericope:
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
GOD'S WORD RESTORES JERUSALEM
Psalm 147:1-20
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
R: Praise the Lord, Jerusalem.
12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. 13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you. (R) 14 He has granted peace in your borders; with the best of wheat he fills you. 15 He sends forth his command to the earth; swiftly runs his word! (R) 19 He has proclaimed his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel. 20 He has not done thus for any other nation; his ordinances he has not made known to them. Alleluia. (R)
Background:
Psalm 147 is a psalm of praise to God for His care, creation, and His word. Here’s some background information:
Author and Date: The psalm is one of the last five psalms in the Book of Psalms that begin and end with “Hallelujah” or "Praise the LORD!". The author is not explicitly mentioned, but it’s traditionally attributed to David. The exact date of its composition is unknown.
Purpose and Themes: The psalm praises God for His protection and preservation. It highlights God’s care for Jerusalem, His power over the universe, and the special revelation He gave to Israel. The psalmist encourages the readers to praise God for these reasons.
Now, let’s look at the specific verses you mentioned (Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20):
"Extol the Lord, Jerusalem; praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel. He has done this for no other nation; they do not know his laws."
These verses emphasize the blessings God has bestowed upon Jerusalem and Israel1. God strengthens the city, blesses the people, grants peace, and provides for their needs. He also reveals His word and laws to Israel, a privilege not given to any other nation1. These verses call for praise and gratitude to God for His unique relationship with His people.
Learning Lessons:
The verses Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20 offer several important lessons for believers:
God’s Care and Power: These verses highlight God’s active care for Jerusalem and His power over the universe. This teaches us to trust in God’s care and power in our own lives.
God’s Provision and Peace: God grants peace within your borders and fills you with the finest of wheat. This reminds us of God’s provision and His desire for our peace.
God’s Word: God sends out commands to the earth and the words run swiftly. This underscores the importance of God’s Word and its impact on the world.
God’s Special Revelation to His People: God declares statutes and ordinances to Jacob and all Israel, unlike any other nation. This emphasizes the unique relationship God has with His people and the special revelation He has given them.
Call to Praise: The psalmist encourages readers to praise God for these reasons. This serves as a reminder for us to continually praise God for His goodness, care, and the special revelation He has given us.
Remember, these lessons are not just to be understood intellectually, but to be lived out in our daily lives. They should shape our attitudes, actions, and interactions with others. As we apply these truths, we grow in our relationship with God and reflect His love to those around us. (Conversation with Copilot)
