Psalms – Chapter 147

Old Testament9 Verses

1Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.

2Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee.

3Who hath placed peace in thy borders: and filleth thee with the fat of corn.

4Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: his word runneth swiftly.

5Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes.

6He sendeth his crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of his cold?

7He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.

8Who declareth his word to Jacob: his justices and his judgments to Israel.

9He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia.

Reflection for Today

Psalms Chapter 147 presents themes of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God that Catholic tradition has long cherished. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The teaching that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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