Psalm 147 (146/147):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Once we engage in other activities, does our praise for God vanish? Certainly not: your tongue may praise temporarily, but let your life be an ongoing testament of praise. Thus, the psalm is indeed good.

A psalm is a form of song, specifically one meant to be sung from the psalter. The psalter acts as a musical instrument, akin to the lyre and harp, alongside other instruments crafted for creating music. Therefore, one who sings psalms not only lifts their voice in praise but also accompanies their singing with an instrument known as the psalter. Will you join in song? Let your voice not merely sound praises to God; ensure your actions resonate in harmony with your words. Sing sweetly for audible delight, but do not remain silent in spirit or in your daily conduct. Let there be no deceit in your heart: your song is for God. When you partake in food and drink, sing a psalm—not merely producing pleasing sounds, but engaging in moderation, as the apostle instructs, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

If, driven by excessive desire, you overindulge in wine, even if your tongue extols God, your actions may bear witness to blasphemy. After enjoying your meal and drinking, retire without defiling your resting place, adhering to God’s commandments; let your marriage bed remain honorable; and if you wish to conceive children, avoid excessive lust: “In thy bed thou shalt honour thy wife” (1 Peter 3:7). Remember, you are both members of Christ, crafted by Him and redeemed by His blood; therefore, glorify God, allowing your praise to resound continuously. What if a dream comes upon you? Let not a guilty conscience disturb your slumber; even in sleep, maintain a heart that praises God.

Let our expressions of praise be pleasing to our God. How? When our lives embody goodness, that is the praise He desires. It is noted elsewhere, “It is not fitting for the mouth of a sinner to praise” (Sirach 15:9). Thus, if a sinner’s voice cannot appropriately praise, then only what aligns with righteousness can be pleasing. For while praise may delight a human ear if expressed with careful diction, clever thoughts, and a melodious voice, let our praises be harmonious to our God, who listens not to mere words, but to the hearts of those who honor Him through their lives.

Who is our God that our praise should be pleasing to Him? He sweetens our experience and makes Himself approachable through His condescension. Yet, God demonstrates His love towards us in this: while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Let us reflect upon the praise referenced by the apostle—it is the praise for which Christ died for sinners and the ungodly, as the Lord rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the scattered Israelites (Psalm 145:2). The people of Jerusalem represent Israel, the eternal Jerusalem in heaven, where even angels dwell. All its citizens, witnessing God, celebrate in this vast and divine city; their gaze is upon God Himself. However, we are exiles from that celestial city, expelled by sin, burdened by mortality, unable to return. God, mindful of our wanderings, sent His Son as a Redeemer into our state of captivity. “Take with you,” He said, “a bag, carry the price of the captives.” He encased our mortal flesh, and within it was the blood, by whose pouring we were redeemed. Through this precious blood, He gathered those who were once scattered. If He has gathered those lost in transgression, how shall we strive to bring together those currently in disarray? If the scattered were restored in the hands of the Builder, how shall we rekindle those who have distanced themselves due to restlessness? This is the God we praise; this is the One we should consistently praise throughout our lives.

How does He gather? How does He act to unite? He who heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 145:3). Observe how the scattered of Israel are reunited through the mending of the wounded heart. Those without a contrite spirit remain unhealed. A wounded heart—let us recognize, brethren, that you may be made whole. Scripture reminds us, “God’s sacrifice is a broken spirit, a contrite and humble heart” (Psalm 51:17), one that God will not disregard. Hence, He heals broken hearts, drawing near to those in need, as stated in the Scriptures—the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. Who are those with wounded hearts? The humble. Who are the unbroken? The proud. The humbled heart shall find healing; the proud heart will experience the heavy hand of God. In that smiting lies a path to healing. Therefore, brethren, let not our hearts seek false elevation before they are truly lifted. It is folly to glorify that which is not humble.

By what means does He bind up their wounds? Just as physicians dress fractures, sometimes even creating new wounds to mend the twisted ones. Such is commonly understood by those familiar with medical practice. Sometimes when limbs are otherwise healthy but distorted, physicians break them to restore proper alignment, essentially creating a fresh wound due to the prior misalignment.

What are these tools of healing He employs? They are the sacraments of this life, providing us comfort, and all the teachings shared with you in the Church are the means by which He binds our wounds. Just as a doctor removes a bandage once a limb is fully healed; so too, when we are level with the angels, do you think we will receive there what we receive here? Will we need the Gospel read to us to affirm our faith? Or the bishop to anoint us? These acts are means for mending fractures; when we achieve wholeness, they will no longer be needed, yet we could not have reached that state without His binding.

He who is aware of the number of stars and calls each by name (Psalm 146:4). What a remarkable feat for God to enumerate the stars! Humans have attempted this; whether they succeeded is up to them, but they wouldn't have endeavored it if they didn't believe they might succeed. Let us not dwell on human accomplishments in counting the stars; for God likely does not find such tasks significant. Perhaps He mentions a number merely to recall it? Is it essential for God to tally the stars, the same God who has numbered the hairs of your head (Matthew 10:30)? The stars symbolize the luminaries of the Church, bringing comfort to our nights, as the apostle observes, “Among a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life” (Philippians 2:15). God knows the count of these stars; all who will reign with Him, those to be gathered into the Body of His only begotten Son, are known and counted. Those unworthy are not included. Many have claimed faith or, at least, a semblance of it, integrating into His community, yet He knows whom He counts and who is excluded. The gospel’s elevation is such that it fulfills the prophecy stating, “I proclaimed and said, They are multiplied beyond number.” Therefore, among God's people, there are those beyond count, so to speak. What do I imply by ‘beyond count’? There are more present within these walls than will enter the heavenly Jerusalem; that is, the true number reaches beyond human reckoning.

Let each of you reflect whether you shine amidst the darkness, whether you avoid being led astray by the pervasive iniquity of this world; if you stand firm and unshaken, you will also be like a star that God has already numbered. He also knows each name. This is our reward: that we may have our names known before God. This should be our desire, a goal that consistently drives us, rather than rejoicing in transitory gifts or accolades. When the disciples returned from their mission, rejoicing because, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your Name” (Luke 10:17), He cautioned them that while many would declare, “Are we not casting out demons in Your Name?” He would retort, “I do not know you.” Thus, He instructed, “Do not rejoice that the spirits 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 expresses his joy in eloquent terms, yet he struggles in his attempts. What benefit is there in merely pondering the depth of His greatness? His power is immense, and His understanding is boundless. He who counts the stars cannot himself be counted. Who can articulate His magnitude? Who can rightly conceive of His infinite understanding? However much the world may grasp, it ultimately falls short of His comprehension, which transcends all understanding; we cannot quantify it. Who numbers these? By that with which He created all things, and thus ordered all things, as it is said, “You have arranged all things in measure, number, and weight” (Wisdom 11:20). Who can measure, quantify, or weigh when God has arranged all? Thus, His understanding is unsurpassed.

Let human voices be silent; let human thoughts be still. There is no need to probe into the incomprehensible, as if they can fully grasp it, but let us approach it with reverence, as communicants in the divine mystery. What then shall we partake of, as if we were parts within God, as if God could be divided into segments? Who can elucidate how many partake of a single divine essence? Do not demand clarity on matters that resist articulation; instead, turn to the Savior’s healing, and let your heart shatter in humility. He will guide you, He will bind up your wounds, restoring you completely, and in that restoration, what now appears unattainable shall become reality. For it is good to confess our weaknesses to Him, who invites us toward the divine nature.

The Lord speaks tenderly (Psalm 145:6). Yet, understand that you may not always comprehend; be reverent towards the Word of God and do not hastily judge Scripture as contradictory or unclear. There lies no contradiction within it; rather, some elements may remain obscure not to frustrate you, but to encourage perseverance in seeking understanding. When ambiguity arises, it serves to provoke you to knock, as He wishes to teach you through practice. Knock, and in your exercise, you shall increase in knowledge; in your growth, you shall receive His revelations. Do not resentedly perceive the closed doors; approach gently, without rebellion. Do not criticize the obscured messages or suggest other interpretations; how can you pronounce such judgments about the Divine? It is articulated in ways deemed expedient. The sick do not dictate alterations to the treatments provided by their physician; trust the One who attends to you.

Now, what follows? The Lord uplifts the humble and humbles the arrogant (Psalm 146:10). Fear may grip robbers, beasts, and the unjust—yet the Lord delights in those who place their hope in His mercy. Judas, who betrayed our Lord, was seized with fear but lacked hope; it is commendable to fear Him, but only if one also trusts in His mercy. Judas’s despair led him to end his own life. So, let us revere the Lord and trust in His mercy.

He also consistently restores to His Church those who are the truest representations of Israel; furthermore, He will create the heavenly Jerusalem from precious and virtuous souls, aligning with Isaiah's prophecy: Behold I prepare as coal thy stone, and in thy foundation a sapphire; and I will make thy walls of jasper, and thy fence of chosen stones, that is, virtuous souls who will be honored to contribute to its construction (Psalms 54:11). Chrysostom notes that although Cyrus permitted their return, such action was not due to his will but rather to the grace of God. Theodoret indicates that if they remained in exile, it was not because the word of God had failed, but rather it exposed their own wickedness. God commanded their return through Cyrus, yet those with a different mindset chose to remain in a foreign land rather than returning home.

heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 146:2-3). This constitutes the living comfort that the repentant soul receives from its Merciful Creator. It is the same joyful proclamation that Christ, the Savior of humanity, declares: "He anointed Me to preach good news to the poor, and sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to give sight to the blind, to set at liberty the tormented, to preach the favourable summer of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19). Just as a debtor cherishes their lender as a compassionate benefactor and remains grateful for their kindness throughout their life, so too does the sinner, who recognizes the immense mercy of God, love Him wholeheartedly, express gratitude deeply, and cherish this divine grace throughout their days. True gratitude is rooted in the remembrance of favors received. Where the memory of these blessings exists, gratitude flourishes; but when generosity is forgotten, ingratitude takes its place.

Given this foundation, the Prophet asserts that God would not allow the church, established and sustained by Him, to face destruction. In the subsequent verse, this idea persists; the metaphor of a physician tending to wounds illustrates that even when the church suffers severe afflictions or deep wounds, God has the power to bring healing. Thus, it becomes clear that despite the varying expressions used, the core message remains the same: God will unite the dispersed Israelites and restore them, like fractured limbs, to their original wholeness.

Additionally, they should exalt Him, as He has bestowed blessings upon the land and its inhabitants, alleviating agricultural hardships through timely rains, and caring even for the animals. Having delivered His weary and beleaguered people in such a remarkable way, the Lord made clear His favor: it was not upon the Gentiles, who trusted in their worldly strength, whether in cavalry or infantry, but upon the Jews who placed their hope in Him and observed His commandments.