Old Testament · Poetry

Psalm 147

He Heals the Brokenhearted

God counts the stars and calls them each by name — and also binds up the wounds of the brokenhearted. Both. At the same time.

Berean Standard Bible BSB KJV

Tap any verse number for what that verse means.

1Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!

2The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the exiles of Israel.

3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

4He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.

5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.

6The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground.

7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God,

8who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills.

9He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.

10He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

11The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.

12Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion!

13For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you.

14He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat.

15He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly.

16He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

17He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?

18He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.

19He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and judgments to Israel.

20He has done this for no other nation; they do not know His judgments. Hallelujah!

Understand This

Psalm 147, explained

What Psalm 147 is saying

Psalm 147 is a hymn celebrating God's power displayed in three interrelated spheres: the restoration of Jerusalem and its outcasts, the governance of creation (stars, weather, seasons), and the gift of His word uniquely to Israel. The psalm marvels that the God who numbers and names the stars also heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

The background behind it

The reference to rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering Israel's outcasts places the psalm in the post-exilic period, likely during or after the reconstruction under Nehemiah. The Septuagint divides this into two separate psalms (146 and 147).

Themes running underneath

The psalm's theological brilliance lies in its juxtaposition of cosmic power and intimate compassion. The God who counts the stars is the same God who counts your heartbreaks. The unique gift of Torah to Israel (vv. 19–20) elevates revelation as the supreme expression of divine favor—greater than rain, snow, or military strength.

Why it still matters

This psalm challenges compartmentalized thinking about God: the Creator of galaxies is the Healer of hearts. It invites awe at both scales simultaneously and suggests that intimacy with God's word is the highest privilege any community can receive.

This is one chapter. BibleKey does all 1,189.

Tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and follow every cross-reference without losing your place.

Get BibleKey

All 150 chapters of Psalms · Every book of the Bible · Browse by topic

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.