Psalm 147 (146/147):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The prophet further states, "to Him who provides food for the cattle, and for the young of the raven that cry out to Him." This underscores another dimension of God’s provision—He sustains not only livestock that are useful to humanity but also other voiceless creatures: "and for the young of the raven that cry out to Him." If the Lord shows such concern for animals that lack speech, and even for wild creatures that do not serve mankind, then His care for humanity, particularly for those who honor Him with their praises, is far greater. He regards these individuals as His own people and inheritance.

We are encouraged to 'Praise the Lord' (Psalm 145:1). This call to worship extends to all nations, not just to us. Each Church, in its unique location, hears these words spoken from various voices, yet they all resonate with the same Divine message that urges us to exalt Him. When we inquire why we should offer our praise to the Lord, the response provided is that praising Him is inherently good. But is this the entirety of the reward for those who bless Him? Praise is, after all, a profound commendation of God. Consequently, we are reminded to 'Praise the Lord, for it is good to do so.' Let us not lose sight of our obligation to glorify Him, as there are times when our praises have been uttered and then silence follows; we may sing and then rest. When we engage in our daily tasks and other pursuits, does our admiration of God come to an end? Certainly not. While our tongues may only vocalize praise for a time, let our lives be a continuous offering of worship. For indeed, the psalm is a beautiful expression of reverence.

A psalm is not an ordinary song; it is a melody articulated through the psalter, which serves as a musical instrument akin to a lyre or a harp. Thus, when we sing psalms, we not only use our voices but also accompany them with the instruments at our disposal. If you are to sing a psalm, let not your voice be the only means of offering praise to God; let your actions resonate with the same harmony as your voice. For the sake of pleasing the ear, sing melodiously, but let your heart and life proclaim praise as well. Do not harbor deceit in your heart as you sing to God (Psalm). In your eating and drinking, let your actions give glory to God—not merely through sweet sounds that please the ears, but rather through moderation in all things, as the Apostle states, 'Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things to the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10:31). If due to excessive indulgence you exceed the bounds of nature and become overwhelmed, your tongue may sing praises to God, yet your life will speak against Him. After partaking in meals, retire to your bed in purity; do not transgress God's laws even in your marriage but honor your wife—'In thy bed thou shalt honour thy wife' (1 Peter 3:7). For both of you are members of Christ, fashioned by Him, redeemed by His blood. Therefore, let us extol God with unceasing praise.

What of those dreams that disturb our rest? Let no guilty conscience trouble your peace; let the innocence of your sleep extend praise to God. Let our adoration be pleasing to Him, but how can we achieve this? Our good conduct must reflect our praise. Understand, then, that such genuine worship is acceptable to Him. In another scripture it is said, 'It is not fitting for the mouth of a sinner to praise' (Sirach 15:9). Thus, if a sinner's words of praise are inappropriate, then true worship must come from what is proper and pleasing to God. Praise may delight a person when offered through eloquent words or captivating melodies, yet let our worship genuinely resonate with our Creator, for His ears are attuned not to the hollow clamor of the lips but to the sincere life of the one honoring Him.

Who is this God that our praises should please Him? He makes Himself delightful to us, showing His lovingkindness through His grace. As the scripture confirms, 'God proves His love to us, that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). Consider if the praise to which the Apostle refers is intertwined with the sacrifice of Christ for sinners and the ungodly: the Lord who rebuilds Jerusalem and gathers the dispersed of Israel (Psalm 145:2). The people of Jerusalem are the people of Israel, representing the eternal city in heaven, whose denizens include the angels. All citizens of that heavenly city, as they behold God, rejoice in the majesty of this great and glorious abode, where they are face to face with the Almighty. Yet we have wandered far from that city, exiled by sin and cloaked in mortality, unable to return. The Lord has looked upon our plight, and the One who restores Jerusalem has mended what was lost. How did He achieve this restoration? He sent His Son, our Redeemer, into our imprisonment, instructing Him to carry the price of our captivity. He took on our frail humanity, and through His blood, we were redeemed, gathering the scattered children of Israel. If those who were once lost have been reclaimed, how then should we strive to gather those who still wander today? If the scattered have been gathered and transformed in the Builder’s hands, we too must bring back those who have strayed, reminding ourselves to continually praise Him throughout our lives.

How does He accomplish this gathering? He heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 145:3). Observe, the scattered children of Israel are united through the healing of their wounded hearts. Only those with a contrite heart can be restored. What is this wounded heart? Let it be revealed, dear brethren, for healing begins with acknowledgment. Scripture affirms: 'God's sacrifice is an indignant spirit, a broken and contrite heart' (Psalm 51:17), one which God will not reject. Therefore, He restores the brokenhearted, drawing near to mend their wounds, as spoken in another place: 'The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart' (Psalm 34:18). Who are those with wounded hearts? The humble, while the proud remain untouched. The broken heart is destined for healing, but the proud heart awaits breaking. To be healed, a heart must first be humbled and corrected. Therefore, dear ones, do not desire to be exalted before you are rooted in humility, for it is unwise to lift what is not yet straightened.

Through what means does He bind the wounds? Just as physicians mend bone fractures. Sometimes, for proper alignment, doctors must break healthy yet misaligned bones, creating new wounds to correct previous distortions. What are these binding means? The sacraments of our present life bring us comfort, alongside all the words we proclaim in this assembly; all that transpires within the Church serves as healing agents for our bruises. Just as a physician removes the bandages once healing is complete, when we reach our heavenly Jerusalem, on par with the angels, will we continue to require the Gospel to fortify our faith? Will we need a bishop to lay hands upon us? These are merely the instruments of healing; when we achieve perfection, they will no longer be necessary. However, we could never attain this state without first being bound.

He who counts the number of the stars and names each one (Psalm 146:4)—isn’t it remarkable that God knows the exact number? While humanity has sought to count them, their efforts are inconsequential compared to divine omnipotence. What importance is it to God to label each star? He knows how many hairs are on your head (Matthew 10:30). The stars are the guiding lights of the Church, providing comfort in the darkness, referred to by the Apostle when he states, 'Among whom you shine as luminaries in the world, holding forth the Word of life' (Philippians 2:15). These stars are recognized by God; those destined to reign with Him and incorporated into the Body of His only begotten Son are acknowledged and counted. Those deemed unworthy are not counted. Many might appear to join His people under the semblance of faith, yet He is discerning in His judgment. So high is the standard of the Gospel that it is fulfilled in the declaration: 'They are multiplied beyond number'—so to speak, some exist among the congregation who have yet to align with the ways of the kingdom of God, that vast assembly. Challenge yourselves to shine in the darkness; do not be led astray by the moral failings of the world; if you resist temptation, you become like a star that is already being counted by God.

'And calls them all by name.' Here lies our reward. We aspire for our names to be acknowledged by God; this must be our goal, that we may seek and fulfill it. Do not rejoice in superficial things, for it is not in mere gifts of the Spirit that we find joy. When the disciples returned rejoicing, affirming, 'Lord, even the demons obey us in your name' (Luke 10:17), He cautioned them, knowing many would say, 'Are we not casting out demons in your name?' to whom He might respond, 'I do not know you.' He instructed them to rejoice rather in the knowledge that 'your names are written in heaven' (Luke 10:20).

'Great is our Lord' (Psalm 146:5). The psalmist stirred with joy, expressing his thoughts with marvel, yet he struggled to fully articulate the wonder of it all. How great is His might, and His understanding is beyond measure. The One who counts the stars cannot be quantified. Who can fathom His essence? Who can comprehend the boundless nature of His wisdom? While the infinite might appear vast to human perspective, it is all within God's understanding. Our comprehension fails to grasp it. By the very act of creation and through all things, His works are ordered in measure, number, and weight (Wisdom 11:20). Who can measure or weigh such things when the Lord has established all order? Hence, His understanding remains immeasurable. Let the voices of humanity grow silent; let the thoughts of man cease striving to grasp the incomprehensible, for they are not meant to master it but to share in the divine mystery sacramentally.

May we become participants in this eternal truth—let there be no doubt, as the scriptures affirm. Yet in our participation, we should not presume that we can dissect the essence of God as if He were divided into parts. Who can rightly express how many partake in His unified substance? Strive not to question what you cannot clearly articulate, instead, return to the healing power of the Savior—bring forth your brokenness. He will guide and heal your woundedness, making you whole, and thus we may someday usher in what appears impossible today. It is fitting to confess our weaknesses to Him who yearns for us to attain His divine nature.

The Lord desires tenderness (Psalm 145:6). Even when we struggle to grasp understanding, we must hold dear the reverence due to the Scriptures, recognizing the wisdom within even when it feels unclear. Do not hastily accuse Scripture of being obscure or contradictory; nothing within it is contradictory, but rather it may be initially obscured to inspire deeper reflection. When obscurity arises, it is often a signal from the Divine to prompt us to seek understanding through diligent inquiry. Exercise the art of seeking; when practiced, it leads us to the revelation received through our efforts. Do not resent that which feels closed; approach with gentleness and humility. Do not challenge the hidden, nor claim it ought to be presented differently. You cannot comprehend the usefulness of that which you critique. It is crafted in such a style to achieve its purpose. Let not the sick man attempt to change the physician’s remedies—trust in the divine care provided.

The Lord uplifts the meek while humbling sinners (Psalm 145:11). In this instance, the term ‘sinners’ reflects the behavior of the proud and obstinate. Why does He bring the proud low? They fixate solely on worldly understanding.

Begin your journey by confessing to the Lord (Psalm 145:7). If you seek to glean truth, start with acknowledgment of your transgressions; confess before praising God. Following confession, let your actions reflect goodness. Sing melodies unto our God on the harp; this calls for both voice and action, harmonizing our deeds with our expressions of praise.

This Scripture, which we embrace and ponder, represents mountains; there exists a mountain named Abraham, another called Isaac, a mountain identified as Jeremiah, and another that belongs to the holy prophets. On these peaks, both sustenance and nourishment can be found. If you are a human, you partake in their provisions; if you are livestock, you graze on the grass. ‘Men and cattle You save, O Lord’ (Psalm 35:7). Cattle consume the grass, while men eat food. Your faith will bring salvation. To Him who causes grass to flourish in the mountains and provides sustenance for cattle. If you are a human, you will glean spiritual insight from the holy Scriptures. If you are livestock, you will receive a literal understanding, in line with Jewish tradition. I perceive something profound.

Ravens do not possess the ability to speak, nor do they call out to the Creator in words; rather, their cries serve as a form of silent petition. This brings to mind how our Lord Christ, focusing specifically on these birds instead of others, instructed His disciples, “Look at the ravens, for they do not sow” (Luke 12:24), “nor gather them into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them” (Matthew 6:26). The nature of ravens lacks the capacity for verbal communication and their sounds emerge as a necessity of existence, resembling a plea. Hence, it is significant that the Lord Christ highlighted the ravens to His disciples, saying, “Look at the ravens, for they do not sow” (Lk. 12:24), “nor gather them into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them” (Mt. 6:26).

To the One who adorns the heavens with clouds and provides rain for the earth; to Him who enables the grass to flourish on the mountains and grain to sustain humanity, who supplies nourishment for the livestock. Sing continually unto the Lord, who envelops the skies with clouds for the purpose of delivering rain. This rain aids in the growth of herbs and grasses, intended to nourish both domestic and wild herbivores. As stated in Psalms 103:13, "He who waters the mountains from His heights." If God nurtures the mountains and hills, how much more bountiful must the earth be? And if God shows care for the mute creatures, how much greater is His regard for those who can speak, that is humanity, for whom He also created the other creatures that can voice their needs?

In this passage, the author encourages the Israelites to offer heartfelt worship to God, while simultaneously presenting ample evidence of His might, benevolence, and wisdom. The term "begin" suggests not a one-time occurrence, but a continual act of praise that is repeated frequently. The author first explains that God adorns the heavens with clouds, not to plunge the sky into darkness, but rather to nourish the earth with much-needed rain, essential for all life to flourish. This natural phenomenon should awaken our senses; for if the sky remained perpetually clear, the magnificence of God’s power would be unmistakable, as exemplified when the Lord suddenly veils the heavens with clouds, obscuring the sun's brightness and transforming the landscape.

This psalm likely emerged in the period following the Babylonian exile, possibly during Nehemiah’s later efforts to rebuild and fortify Jerusalem. At the time of its composition, Jerusalem appears to have been restored, with the people who had been dispersed among the nations returning to their homeland, their wounds healed. For these blessings, Israel ought to express gratitude to the Lord, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, as it is within His nature to show compassion to the humble while holding oppressors accountable. Therefore, Israel is called to praise the Lord appropriately. Furthermore, praise should be offered because He has favored the land and its people, alleviating crop failures through bountiful rains and caring for even the animals.