Psalms 147:1-3
Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse doesn't just say praise is "good" or "pleasant"; it calls it "fitting" or "comely." This highlights that praise isn't just an optional emotional response, but a proper, even beautiful, response to who God is, something that naturally suits His character and our place in relation to Him. It suggests praise is the right way for us to be.
This psalm begins by calling readers to praise God, emphasizing that it's not just appropriate but also enjoyable and fitting. It then immediately shifts to God's active work in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering His dispersed people, highlighting His healing of the brokenhearted. The psalm seems to be composed after the return from the Babylonian captivity, celebrating God's care for His people and His sovereign power over all creation.
Why should we praise God? It's more than just a nice idea; the Psalms declare it's fundamentally good, enjoyable, and perfectly suited to who God is and who we are.
The opening verse of Psalm 147 gives us three powerful reasons to engage in praise:
It Is Good
Praise is not just good for God, but good for us. It's beneficial and life-giving. It aligns us with our created purpose and connects us to the divine.
It Is Pleasant
There's an inherent joy and delight in offering praise. It's an expression of gratitude and love, elevating our spirits and giving us a foretaste of heavenly worship.
It Is Fitting
'Comely' or 'fitting' means it's appropriate, proper, and beautiful. Given who God is – our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer – and all He has done, praise is the most suitable response from intelligent beings.
The reasons for praise aren't abstract. Psalm 147 immediately connects our worship to God's specific, active care for those He calls His own.
The commentators highlight that Psalm 147 is often understood to be written after Israel's return from exile. This historical context deeply informs the reasons for praise:
Building and Gathering
God is presented as the one who 'builds up Jerusalem' and 'gathers the outcasts of Israel.' This speaks to His power to restore, to bring order from chaos, and to bring His scattered people back together. It's a testament to His faithfulness even when His people are distant or broken.
Healing and Comfort
He 'heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.' This isn't just physical healing, but deep emotional and spiritual restoration. It shows God's intimate knowledge and care for the suffering of His people, responding to their pain with compassion.
Understand the original words
halelujah · Hebrew Verb
A Hebrew imperative meaning to commend, laud, or celebrate the greatness and character of God. It is an expression of worship acknowledging His worthiness.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
The personal, covenantal name of the self-existent God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness and eternal nature.
Yerushalayim · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
The holy city of God, serving as a symbol of His presence, kingdom, and the gathering place for His people.
niddachei · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who are dispersed, banished, or cast away from their homeland or community, often used in scripture to describe those in need of divine regathering and restoration.
Psalm 147 begins with a powerful call to praise, deeply resonating with a people who have experienced profound devastation and subsequent restoration. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah, as described here, represents a tangible symbol of God's faithfulness in gathering, healing, and establishing His people after the trauma of exile.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and First Temple
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar II destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, marking a catastrophic end to the Kingdom of Judah and forcing many of its people into exile.
539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, and his subsequent decree allows Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 515 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
After years of rebuilding efforts, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is dedicated, symbolizing a partial restoration of Jewish religious life and community.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Under Nehemiah's leadership, the walls of Jerusalem are rebuilt, providing physical security and a renewed sense of identity and order for the returning exiles.
This verse directly echoes Psalm 147:1, stating 'It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High.' It reinforces the idea that praise is a fitting and good response to God's character and actions.
Psalm 33:1Similar to Psalm 147:1, this passage calls for praise, noting that 'praise is suited for the upright.' This connection highlights that praise is not just pleasant but also a proper and fitting response for those who are in right relationship with God.
Psalm 135:3This verse shares the sentiment that praise is 'pleasant,' stating 'Sing praises to his name; give praise to him.' It emphasizes the joyful and delightful aspect of offering praise to God.
Nehemiah 12:43This passage describes the joyous celebration after the rebuilding of Jerusalem, with 'great sacrifices' and 'rejoicing.' It illustrates how, in response to God's redemptive and restorative acts, praise becomes a fitting and exuberant expression of thanksgiving.
Romans 1:21While this verse speaks of humanity failing to honor God, it contrasts with Psalm 147:1 by showing the consequence of unthankfulness. It underscores why it is not only 'good' and 'pleasant' but also 'fitting' for us to praise God, as it's the natural response of a heart acknowledging His truth.
ellicottPsalms 147:1: "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."
-1 Psalm 135:3 is plainly before the poet in this verse; and yet, since Psalms 33 is in other respects his model, it is extremely doubtful whether we ought to change the reading, so as to make a complete correspondence between the verses, or suppose that the alteration was intentional, in accordance with “praise is comely for the upright ” in Psalm 33:1 . (See Notes on both…
bensonPsalms 147:1: "Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely."
Psalm 147:1-3 . Praise the Lord, for it is good — It is acceptable to God, and greatly beneficial and productive of comfort to ourselves. It is pleasant, and praise is comely — “Being the only return man can make for his creation and redemption, and all other mercies; the offspring of gratitude, and the expression of love; the elevation of the soul, and the ante-past of hea…
The verse doesn't just say praise is "good" or "pleasant"; it calls it "fitting" or "comely." This highlights that praise isn't just an optional emotional response, but a proper, even beautiful, response to who God is, something that naturally suits His character and our place in relation to Him. It suggests praise is the right way for us to be.
This psalm begins by calling readers to praise God, emphasizing that it's not just appropriate but also enjoyable and fitting. It then immediately shifts to God's active work in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering His dispersed people, highlighting His healing of the brokenhearted. The psalm seems to be composed after the return from the Babylonian captivity, celebrating God's care for His people and His sovereign power over all creation.
This psalm begins by calling readers to praise God, emphasizing that it's not just appropriate but also enjoyable and fitting. It then immediately shifts to God's active work in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering His dispersed people, highlighting His healing of the brokenhearted. The psalm seems to be composed after the return from the Babylonian captivity, celebrating God's care for His people and His sovereign power over all creation.
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shevurei lev · Hebrew Noun/Adjective Phrase
Refers to those experiencing deep emotional or spiritual distress, sorrow, or grief. God is depicted as the intimate comforter and restorer of such individuals.
"Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting. The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and bi…" — The verse doesn't just say praise is "good" or "pleasant"; it calls it "fitting" or "comely." This highlights that praise isn't just an optional emotional response, but a proper, even beautiful, resp…
