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.

King James Version BSB KJV

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1Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.

2The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.

3He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

4He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

5Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

6The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

7Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:

8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

9He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.

10He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

11The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

13For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

14He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.

15He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

16He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

17He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

18He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.

20He hath not dealt so with any nation: and as for his judgments, they have not known them. Praise ye the LORD.

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.

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Scripture text: King James Version — public domain.