Psalms 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Psalms 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse doesn't just speak of general sadness; the Hebrew word for "brokenhearted" suggests a shattering, like something splintered into pieces. This isn't about mild disappointment, but a deep, visceral fracturing of the spirit that only God can truly mend and make whole again.
This psalm celebrates God's power and goodness, particularly in restoring His people from exile. Following verses that describe God gathering dispersed exiles and rebuilding Jerusalem, this verse highlights God's tender care for those hurting from their suffering and sin, showing His concern extends even to the deepest emotional wounds. The verses immediately following will further emphasize God's immense power, contrasting it with His gentle compassion for the humble.
Ever feel like your deepest hurts are invisible to everyone else? This verse reveals a God who doesn't just see our pain, He actively tends to it.
Psalm 147:3 paints a vivid picture of God's compassionate care. The 'brokenhearted' aren't just sad; the original language suggests hearts that are 'shattered' or 'crushed.' Imagine a piece of pottery that's splintered into many pieces.
This isn't a God who stands aloof. He is intimately involved, like a skilled physician.
We often try to hide our brokenness, but what if it's the very thing God uses to draw us closer?
The 'brokenhearted' mentioned here can stem from various sources: sorrow, sin, or suffering. The commentary notes that this brokenness can be due to 'the sense of their sins' or 'grievous calamities.' It's a deep, internal shattering.
Interestingly, this state of brokenness isn't a barrier to God's love; it's often the condition that makes us receptive to His healing.
Understand the original words
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.
This psalm celebrates God's restorative power, particularly in the context of the Babylonian exile. The 'brokenhearted' and 'wounds' refer to the deep despair and devastation experienced by the people of Judah after the destruction of Jerusalem and their homeland.
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
King Jehoiachin and many of the Judahite elite are exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar II. This event marks a significant blow to the nation's morale and leadership.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and exile the remaining population. This is a catastrophic event for Israel, plunging them into deep despair.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon to Persia
Cyrus the Great conquers the Babylonian Empire. This political shift sets the stage for the return of the Jewish exiles.
538 BC
Cyrus's Decree Allowing Return
Cyrus issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild their Temple. This is a moment of immense hope and relief.
This passage speaks of God drawing near to the brokenhearted and saving those with a contrite spirit, echoing the theme of God's tender care for those who are hurting.
Isaiah 61:1This prophetic verse, which Jesus quotes in the Gospels, directly parallels the language of healing the brokenhearted and binding up wounds, highlighting God's mission of restoration and comfort.
Luke 4:18Here, Jesus applies Isaiah 61:1 to himself, demonstrating that this divine act of healing the brokenhearted is a core part of his messianic work.
Matthew 11:28Jesus' invitation to come to him, all who are weary and burdened, connects directly to the concept of God's healing power for those who are emotionally and spiritually wounded.
Romans 8:28While not directly about healing, this verse assures believers that God works all things for good for those who love him, offering a profound comfort that underpins the healing process for a broken heart.
ellicottPsalms 147:3: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
(3) Broken in heart.— As in Psalm 34:18 . (Comp. Isaiah 61:1 .) Wounds.—See margin, and comp. Job 9:28; Proverbs 15:13.
clarkePsalms 147:3: "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
He healeth the broken in heart - שבורי, the shivered in heart. From the root שבר shabar, to break in pieces, we have our word shiver, to break into splinters, into shivers. The heart broken in pieces by a sense of God's displeasure.
The verse doesn't just speak of general sadness; the Hebrew word for "brokenhearted" suggests a shattering, like something splintered into pieces. This isn't about mild disappointment, but a deep, visceral fracturing of the spirit that only God can truly mend and make whole again.
This psalm celebrates God's power and goodness, particularly in restoring His people from exile. Following verses that describe God gathering dispersed exiles and rebuilding Jerusalem, this verse highlights God's tender care for those hurting from their suffering and sin, showing His concern extends even to the deepest emotional wounds. The verses immediately following will further emphasize God's immense power, contrasting it with His gentle compassion for the humble.
This psalm celebrates God's power and goodness, particularly in restoring His people from exile. Following verses that describe God gathering dispersed exiles and rebuilding Jerusalem, this verse highlights God's tender care for those hurting from their suffering and sin, showing His concern extends even to the deepest emotional wounds. The verses immediately following will further emphasize God's immense power, contrasting it with His gentle compassion for the humble.
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c. 445 BC
Rebuilding Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah leads the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, facing significant opposition. This period involves immense hardship but also demonstrates God's faithfulness in restoring the city.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — The verse doesn't just speak of general sadness; the Hebrew word for "brokenhearted" suggests a shattering, like something splintered into pieces. This isn't about mild disappointment, but a deep, vi…