Psalm 147 (146/147):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

No, your tongue may sing for a time, but let your life be a constant tribute to Him. Hence, the psalm bears truth.

A psalm is a sacred song—not just any song, but one composed specifically for the psalter, akin to a musical instrument like a lyre or harp designed for worship. Therefore, one who sings psalms not only vocalizes but also accompanies their voice with the actions of their hands. If you choose to sing a psalm, let your voice alone not be the sole bearer of praise; allow your actions to resonate with your voice. Sing sweetly to please the ear, but let your heart and life echo your praise. Ill intent should not dwell in your heart; your song is dedicated to God. When you partake of food or drink, sing a psalm—not with mere pleasant sounds, but eat and drink soberly, for as the apostle states, “Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). Should insatiable desire lead you to excess, no matter how much your tongue praises God, your actions may speak otherwise. After eating and drinking, retire without shame; let your rest be pure, your marriage bed honorable; remember, “In thy bed thou shalt honour thy wife” (1 Peter 3:7). For you are both part of Christ, created and redeemed through His blood. Lift your voices in praise, let not your worship be mute.

What if sleep brings troubling dreams? Allow not a guilty conscience to disturb your rest; let the purity of your slumber glorify God. Let our praise be pleasing in the sight of God. In what manner? If He is lauded by our righteous living. Thus, let it be known that such praise pleases Him. As it states elsewhere, “It is not fitting for the mouth of a sinner to praise” (Sirach 15:9). Therefore, if praise from a sinner is considered inappropriate or unworthy, only that which is righteous brings true delight. While praises may charm a listener who appreciates eloquent words and a melodious voice, let our praises be pleasing to God, who heeds not merely the tongue but the heart and life of the one who speaks.

Who is our God that our praises should be acceptable? He renders Himself sweet to us through His graciousness. God demonstrates His love towards us, for “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Let us consider whether the praise to which the apostle refers is that which Christ offered for those who were lost and unrighteous, as it is said: “The Lord builds up Jerusalem and gathers the outcasts of Israel” (Psalm 145:2). The people of Jerusalem represent Israel, the eternal city in heaven, whose residents include the angels. All the citizens of this heavenly realm see God and rejoice in the magnificence of their city, gazing upon the very presence of God. However, we find ourselves as exiles from that city, cast aside by sin and burdened with mortality, precluding our return. God regards our wanderings and, through the Builder of Jerusalem, restores that which was lost. How did He accomplish this restoration? He sent His Son as our Redeemer, instructing, “Take a bag with you, carrying the ransom for those in bondage.” He enveloped Himself in our mortal frame, bearing the blood necessary for our redemption. With His sacrifice, He gathered the dispersed children of Israel. If He reconciled those once scattered, how shall we strive to bring together those who are lost today? If those lost were restored into a structure formed by the Builder's hands, we must also endeavor to reclaim those who have strayed due to their own discontent. This is whom we extol; this is the One we are bound to praise throughout our lives.

How does He gather His people? What actions does He take to unite them? He “heals the brokenhearted” (Psalm 145:3). Observe how the scattered children of Israel are brought together through healing hearts. Those who lack a contrite spirit are beyond healing. What does it mean to have a wounded heart? Let it be known, dear brethren, this is essential for your healing. Scripture states, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” He heals the wounded heart because He draws near to mend them; as proclaimed, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.” Who are those who possess a wounded heart? The humble. Who are the proud who remain unscathed? The humble heart shall find healing, while the proud heart will face destruction. It must be turned over, broken, to be restored. Thus, beloved, let not our hearts yearn for smoothness before they are straightened; it is wrong to elevate what has not yet been made right.

What means does He employ to bind up their wounds? Just as physicians dress fractures. At times, beloved, it is common knowledge: even when limbs appear healthy but are misaligned, physicians will intentionally break them again to correct the position, creating a new wound to heal the distorted form.

What are these means of healing? They are the sacraments of our present existence which provide us solace. All the words delivered to you from the pulpit and the actions undertaken within the Church serve to heal our wounds. Much like a physician removing a bandage once healing has occurred, will we in the heavenly Jerusalem, when aligned with the angels, require the same Gospel to solidify our faith? Will we require a bishop’s hands laid upon us? These are temporary means of healing; once we attain perfection, they will no longer be necessary, yet we could never attain it without such binding.

“He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psalm 146:4). What a remarkable feat for God to know the number of stars! While men have endeavored to quantify them, the results matter little; the fact that they even try indicates their desire to grasp such understanding. Let us not concern ourselves with their pursuits; for God’s perspective, counting stars may not hold profound significance. Perhaps He lists them so that He might not forget; after all, He numbers the stars as He does, even ensuring the hairs on your head are counted (Matthew 10:30). The stars symbolize the lights within the Church, offering solace during the dark; as the Apostle states, “In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the Word of life” (Philippians 2:15). These are the stars known to God; all who will reign with Him, all who are to be gathered into His only begotten Son's Body are numbered and continuously counted. Those deemed unworthy fall outside this count. Numerous have believed or perhaps feigned faith to align with His people; yet He discerns who He counts and who is cast aside. For so lofty is the gospel; it was fulfilled in saying, “I told you they are more numerous than can be counted”—and there are many who may claim to belong but among His people, they are mere supernumeraries. What do I mean by supernumeraries? More than the saved in the kingdom of heaven, the heavenly Jerusalem is beyond number. Each of you must reflect on whether you shine in the darkness, resisting the deceit of the world; should you not succumb and overcome, you will be akin to a star already known by God.

“And calls them all by name”—what a reward! We may possess names before God; may He recognize us by them. This should be our aspiration—that our names are acknowledged in the heavenly realm, not in the superficialities of life, nor merely in spiritual gifts. When the disciples returned from their mission rejoicing, proclaiming, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name” (Luke 10:17), Jesus discerned that many would proclaim, “Are we not casting out demons in Your name?” He responded, “Do not rejoice that the spirits are subject to you; rather rejoice because your names are recorded in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

“Great is our Lord” (Psalm 146:5). The psalmist expresses immense joy, pouring forth his words fluidly, yet is somewhat at a loss for how to articulate the greatness of God. His power is vast, His understanding infinite. He who knows the stars cannot be measured. Who can fathom this? Who can grasp the true measure of His boundless understanding? The infinite is contained within this world; though it appears limitless to humanity, it is diminutive from the divine perspective, being subject to God and recognized by angels. His comprehension exceeds all calculations; we cannot quantify it. Thus, let human voices rest; let human considerations cease. Let not minds presume to comprehend what surpasses human understanding, but rather allow ourselves to engage sacramentally. As communicants in faith, may we not harbor doubt about this. What shall we partake of, imagining some incomprehensible sharing of divinity? Do not seek to articulate that which cannot properly be expressed; rather return to the Saviour’s healing, allowing Him to mend your heart. He will repair it where it is broken, rendering it whole, and our impossibilities shall be eliminated. For it is beneficial to acknowledge our weaknesses to one longing to attain the divine nature.

“The Lord speaks tenderly” (Psalm 145:6). For instance, you may not understand, you may not grasp fully, yet reverence the Scriptures; hold the Word of God in high esteem, even when it is unclear. In reverence, wait for understanding. Do not hastily judge Scripture to be obscure or inconsistent; there is no contradiction. Obscurity exists not to deny you, but to challenge those who later receive it. When it seems dark, remember that the Physician desires you to knock; He intends that it be revealed to you upon your knocking. In doing so, you shall practice, grow, and contain what is granted. Do not let frustration arise from closed doors; rather, remain gentle. Do not kick against the dark nor claim, “It should have been expressed differently.” Who can make that judgment on effectiveness? The conveyed message serves a purpose. Let not the afflicted attempt to alter their medicines; the Physician knows how to balance them; trust in Him who cares for you.

Now, consider what follows: the Lord uplifts the humble and casts down the sinners (Psalm 146:7). Fear can exist in robbers, beasts, and the unscrupulous; yet the Lord delights in those who place their hope in His mercy. Observe Judas, who betrayed our Lord, full of fear yet lacking hope in His mercy. Though fear may serve a purpose, it is beneficial only when coupled with trust in the mercies of whom one fears. Judas ended his life in despair. Thus, let us fear the Lord while hoping in His mercy.

Additionally, he points out that God's concern extends not only to humanity but also to the most unassuming of creatures. He provides nourishment by bringing forth grass upon the mountains and saturates the ground with rich sustenance, demonstrating a blend of divine majesty with wisdom. This reflection of grace and fatherly affection encompasses not just humankind but also extends to animals and livestock.

It is pertinent to observe his mention of "the grass that grows on the mountains," which conveys the notion that elevations require more rain than lower areas, such as valleys and fields that can be nourished by rivers. Without heavenly rain, the mountains would be parched, threatening the survival of the creatures that dwell there.

Furthermore, the phrase "to the birds of the vulture calling upon Him" illustrates that God's providence and generosity reach even the lowliest of birds, including those considered unworthy. Their calling upon the Lord signifies their cries due to hunger, indicating, as if they possess reasoning, that they would certainly perish without God's heavenly provisions.

Moreover, the psalmist encourages praise for God because He has enriched the land and its inhabitants, ensuring that their crops thrive with timely rains and that He cares for the creatures of creation. Having delivered His weary and oppressed people in a remarkable manner, the Lord made evident His favor: not towards the nations that depended on their might and strength, but towards the Jews who trusted in Him and followed His commandments. The psalm asserts the insignificance of human power compared to divine strength, highlighting the truth that the Lord’s support does not rest on the swiftness of human effort but on His sovereign will.