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

Sacred Scripture presents Psalms Chapter 147 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The passage calls believers to grasp that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 265) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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