Psalm 147 (146/147):10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Furthermore, recognizing their vulnerability and lack of resources, to alleviate their concerns, observe how He provides a solution to this shortcoming. "The Lord takes no pleasure in the strength of horses, nor does He delight in the swiftness of runners; the Lord delights in those who revere Him and place their trust in His compassion." Those who await His mercy are also blessed. If, He assures us, you possess reverence and unwavering hope in Him, you will receive His approval; and upon receiving it, you will be stronger than any who rely solely on chariots and arms.

We are instructed to ‘Praise the Lord’ (Psalm 145:1). This command extends to all nations, not just to us. These words resonate differently among congregations, yet it is the same Divine Voice that calls us to offer Him praise. If we ponder the basis of our praise, we are given this reason: we should praise the Lord for the psalm is good. Is this all we receive for our praises? The essence of the psalm is glorifying God. He reiterates: 'Praise the Lord, for it is good to do so.' Let us remain ever mindful of our duty to glorify Him. The act of praise may feel fleeting—we might sing and then cease, or perhaps take up our other matters. However, does our praise diminish with our distractions? Not at all: while our speech of praise may be temporal, let our lives be a continuous song of worship. The psalm is inherently good.

A psalm is a sacred hymn, specifically one expressed through the psalter. The psalter serves as a musical instrument akin to the lyre or harp, designed for melody. Therefore, when we sing psalms, we are not merely using our voices; we also engage with an instrument to enhance our worship. So, when you sing a psalm, allow your voice to offer praise to God while ensuring that your actions resonate with your words. Sing to please the ear, but let your heart remain vocal in praise, and let your life reflect that praise as well. Keep honesty within your heart as you direct your song to God. Engaging in the acts of eating and drinking should also include singing psalms—not just sweet sounds for ears, but maintaining moderation, as the Apostle says: ‘Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God’ (1 Corinthians 10:31). Should you indulge excessively, your tongue may offer praise, yet your actions may blaspheme. After your meal, as you retire, do so without defilement, adhering to God’s commandments; maintain purity in your marriage, for in embracing your wife, you honor the sacred bond (1 Peter 3:7). You both belong to Christ, crafted by Him and redeemed by His blood; therefore, let your praise not fall silent. Even if dreams visit you, let no troubling conscience disturb your rest; let the innocence of your slumber extol God.

Let our praise now be a delight to our God. How? If we honor Him through our moral conduct. Understand that such praise pleases Him. It is written, ‘It is not fitting for the mouth of a sinner to praise’ (Sirach 15:9). Hence, if a sinner’s mouth cannot offer genuine praise, it must be for what is fitting is what holds joy. Praise may flatter a human listener, but true honor reaches the ears of God, who listens to the heart rather than the tongue, witnessing the life of the one who praises.

Who is our God, deserving of our joyous acclaim? He renders Himself delightful to us through His humble grace. God demonstrates His love for us in that ‘while we were still sinners, Christ died for us’ (Romans 5:8). Consider whether the praise the Apostle speaks of is linked to that for which Christ sacrificed Himself—the Lord who rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the scattered children of Israel (Psalm 145:2). The people of Jerusalem symbolize the people of Israel, the eternal heavenly Jerusalem, where angels also dwell in joy as they behold God. We, however, are wanderers, expelled by sin, and burdened by mortality, unable to return. Yet God observed our plight and, in His mercy, sent His Son as the Redeemer to restore what had been lost. He took upon Himself our mortal form, shedding His blood as the price of redemption. With this blood, He gathered the dispersed of Israel. And if He gathered those once scattered, how can we strive to gather those presently lost? Those revived by the Builder’s hand are transformed into a dwelling place; we who have wandered away must be gathered back.

How does He perform this gathering? He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 145:3). Observe how the wayward of Israel find unity through the healing of their wounds. Only the brokenhearted can find healing. What constitutes a wounded heart? Let it be known, dear brethren, for healing is crucial. Scripture mentions, ‘God’s sacrifice is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.’ He heals the wounded heart by drawing near to them; as it is stated in another scripture, ‘The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.’ Who possesses a wounded heart? The humble. Who is at ease? The proud. The wounded heart shall be mended, while the proud heart shall be crushed. To be humbled is necessary to receive healing. Therefore, dear brethren, let us not desire to be exalted before we are made right; it is wrong to inflate ourselves before being made straight.

With what means does He bind their wounds? Just as physicians bandage fractures. Notably, when limbs are healthy yet misaligned, healers may break them to realign the fractures, creating new wounds to correct the previous deformity.

What are these means of binding? They are the sacraments of this life, through which we receive comfort. Every message shared among you, every action taken by the Church, serves as means to mend our wounds. Just as a doctor removes the bandages when healing is complete, likewise, in our perfected state in heavenly Jerusalem, will we require the Gospel for faith or the laying on of hands? These are means for healing; when perfect health is achieved, they will cease, yet we could not attain that perfection without their aid.

He who counts the stars and calls them all by name (Psalm 146:4). How marvelous that God can enumerate the stars! Humans have made attempts to do so; their progress, though uncertain, speaks to their ambition. However, does it truly matter to God whether He knows the exact number of stars? Perhaps He lists them to ensure He does not forget? It is truly significant not only that God counts the stars, which are signs in the Church sharing light in our darkest hours, but also that they lift up the Apostle’s words, ‘Among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as luminaries in the world, holding fast the word of life’ (Philippians 2:15). God accounts for these stars: all who are destined to reign with Him and will be unified in the Body of His only begotten Son. Those unworthy shall not even be counted. Many may seem to join under the guise of faith but are ultimately sifted by God’s knowledge of who truly belongs. The greatness of the Gospel confirms this fulfillment, as foreseen when it was said, ‘I proclaimed and said, they are multiplied beyond number.’ There will be those among the multitude who are acknowledged as supernumeraries. What do I mean by that? There will be more within these walls than will populate the heavenly kingdom, which is beyond count. Each of you should assess if you illuminate the darkness, resisting the temptation to be led astray by the world’s iniquities. If you stand firm against these distractions, you will be regarded as a star already noted by God.

And He calls them all by name. This is our reward. We should aspire to have our names recognized by God, seeking this with all our devotion; let us not find joy in lesser things, even in some spiritual abilities. When the disciples returned from their mission, rejoicing about their accomplishments, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name’ (Luke 10:17), He, aware that many would contend, ‘Did we not cast out demons in Your name?’ responded, ‘Do not rejoice because the demons are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven’ (Luke 10:20).

Great is our Lord (Psalm 146:5). The psalmist speaks with overflowing joy, yet he struggles with the depth of his expression. How wondrous is His power, and His understanding is beyond measure. The One who catalogs the stars remains unquantifiable. Who can fully discern His essence? His understanding surpasses all numerical comprehension; what is infinite to humanity is mere creation to God. Everything exists in measure, number, and weight, as expressed, ‘You have arranged all things in measure, number, and weight’ (Wisdom 11:20).

Let human voices fall silent; let thoughts be hushed, for we cannot grasp the incomprehensible. Instead, we should partake of the sacred mystery. We are called to be communicants; let there be no doubt; thus says Scripture. And what do we partake of? Like elements that share in the Divine, though incapable of being fully expressed, we must return to the Healer, breaking our hearts in humility. He will guide and mend them, restoring them to wholeness, allowing us access to what now seems unattainable. Confession of our weaknesses to Him fosters our quest for divine nature.

The Lord reveals facets of tenderness (Psalm 145:6). For instance, if you find understanding elusive, do not rush to deem Scripture obscure or contradictory. There is no discrepancy when we allow for the obscurity intended to exercise the seeker. Often, obscurity is God’s way of prompting us to knock and inquire. When we seek, we eventually comprehend; as we exert effort, our capacity to receive grows. Do not resent the closed door; approach gently, without disdain. You cannot know how a particular phrase serves its purpose, as it is arranged with divine wisdom. Allow yourself, like a patient before a physician, to trust in the care provided.

Then, the Lord supports the meek and brings down sinners to the ground. In this context, we consider sinners as those engrossed in superficial desires, focused solely on earthly matters.

Commence your journey of confession to the Lord (Psalm 145:7). If you wish to move from mere belief to the profession of truth, begin with an honest confession. Own your failings first, and then render praise to God. What follows confession? Let good works abound. Sing to our God with the harp. This implies that, similarly to an instrumental song, our actions and words should harmonize.

He covers the heavens with clouds and bestows rain upon the land (Psalm 146:8). You may feel troubled by the obscured skies now, but when the rain nurtures the earth, clarity will emerge. Divine providence orchestrates this. Were it not for the depth of Scripture’s depiction, you might not grasp that which truly brings you joy. Perhaps it is the rain of revelation that you celebrate? None could convey these truths as eloquently without the obscured images that the Creator sprinkles throughout Scripture. His intention is for the prophetic words to be rich in mystery, aiding His servants in delivering meaningful understanding to the hearts of humanity, nourishing them with the spiritual joy poured forth from His clouds.

He causes grass to flourish on the mountains and herbs to serve humanity. Herein lies the outcome of the rain. He emphasizes the grass on the mountains, emphasizing its significance compared to the valleys. Indeed, the rugged mountains might appear barren, yet the growth there is remarkable. These resources serve mankind well. Reflect on Paul’s words: ‘For we are your servants for Jesus Christ's sake’ (2 Corinthians 4:5). He acknowledged the status of a servant and modeled humility for all. While he lived and labored without claiming worldly esteem, the mountains still provide their bounty. Even when he chose to forgo worldly comforts, he did not deny the mountains their ability to produce nourishment.

Fruit deriving from the rain signifies provision for the laborer; the Lord assures us that the laborer is worthy of his wage (Luke 10:7-8).

Recently, you heard, ‘Give to everyone who asks of you’ (Luke 6:30), and elsewhere it is stated, ‘Let alms sweat in your hand until you find a righteous person to give to.’ One reaches out for you, and another you should seek. Those who seek shall not remain empty-handed; to everyone who requests, you shall give. Be discerning in your search for a deserving recipient; you will never find a fitting person unless you set something aside from your possessions, proportionate to the needs of your household, like fulfilling a pledge. If Christ holds no material wealth or treasury...

We aimed for brevity, but we find it necessary to discuss in depth. We have deceived, yet this deception serves a significant purpose. Herod also deceived and violated his vow. Although our promises have been modest, through your prayers we have delivered abundantly. The urgency of time keeps me from silence, while the magnitude of the mysteries drives me to speak. His will shall not be fulfilled through the might of a horse. I hear the whinnying of the steed; I cannot ignore it. As it is stated in the Psalms, “A horse lies to save” (Psalms 32:17). Additionally, it is written, “The horse and the rider He has thrown into the sea” (Exodus 15:1). The king of Israel is commanded not to acquire horses (Deuteronomy 17:16).

The Prophet teaches that God does not favor individuals based on physical strength, equestrian skills, or speed, but rather through the good deeds performed out of reverence for Him. God values not only those who exhibit a special kind of fear, but also those who, despite their transgressions, have turned back in repentance and found strength in the hope of salvation. As the Prophet indicates, God's favor is not reserved solely for the virtuous ascetics, but extends to all who eagerly await His merciful grace.

He will not find pleasure in human strength, but rather in the humility of the lowly. In this context, desire and favor refer to God’s approval. Just as strength manifests in the muscles and arms of a person, it is also present in the strength of the legs. The text conveys the idea that God takes no delight in the power of the strong or in those who rely solely on their physical abilities. Instead, He grants strength and triumph to those whom He chooses to favor. Chrysostom emphasizes that this pertains to all forms of physical might, highlighting God’s preference for the humble over the mighty.

The prophet expresses that there is no corner of the earth exempt from the generous gifts of the Almighty God and emphasizes that humanity would possess no strength were it not for His divine bestowal from above. This statement aims to undermine the pride inherent in humanity, as individuals tend to mistakenly credit their achievements to their own abilities. When referring to "horsepower," the prophet encompasses all forms of defense—not because it is displeasing to God for us to receive assistance from Him, but to guide us away from misplaced dependence on such external supports. It is common to fall into the trap of unreasoned arrogance when we have outside help at our disposal.

This psalm likely emerged after the Babylonian exile, potentially during the latter part of Nehemiah’s leadership, who was particularly engaged in the restoration and fortification of Jerusalem. At the time this psalm was penned, it appears that Jerusalem had been rejuvenated, and the populace, formerly dispersed among the nations, had returned to their homeland where their wounds had been mended. For these blessings, Israel is called to offer heartfelt thanks to the Lord, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, for it is within His nature to graciously show mercy to the humble while administering justice to the oppressors. Consequently, Israel ought to honor the Lord fittingly.

In the nakedness of humanity, not in the strength of one's legs, the grace of God prevails; meaning that divine power and triumph are not granted to mere physical prowess or robust limbs.