Psalms – Chapter 147

Old Testament • 9 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion." — so begins Psalms 147. Jacob stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 9 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and justice and care for the poor. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

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.

Important Verses in Psalms 147

“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion.”

Psalms 147:1

“Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: his word runneth swiftly.”

Psalms 147:4

“Who declareth his word to Jacob: his justices and his judgments to Israel.”

Psalms 147:8

Historical Context

Psalms addresses god's people at prayer in every age within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 147 of 150 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 9 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Jacob, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion." It concludes: "He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia. " In terms of historical background, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

The poem's language was meant to be prayed aloud, giving voice to the full range of human experience before the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1814). Here, the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize worship and praise as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • ✓God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Jacob1 mention

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 147 about?

Psalms 147 contains 9 verses. It opens with "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion." and closes with "He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. Alleluia. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 147?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 147?

This chapter mentions Jacob.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Related Chapters

Isaiah 10Shares people and themes with this chapterHosea 10Shares people and themes with this chapterDeuteronomy 9Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Gloria in Excelsis🙏The Divine Praises🙏Prayer for the Poor🙏Prayer for the World

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