Journaling — Psalm 147
In today’s devotional, we dig into Psalm 147. I start my personal devotional journal entry with some background on the passage, which helps me understand the context. This kind of journaling keeps me focused and less distracted and becomes a record of my spiritual journey, ready for me to reference when struggling.
A psalm of praise and worship, Psalm 147:
The title of Psalm 147 reads, “Praise for Jerusalem’s Restoration and prosperity” —obviously not written in the days of David and Solomon. The praise written is not as jubilant as the next psalms; the tone is more staid than those from the earlier kingdom, though the psalm is bookended with “Praise the LORD!”
These are words written to a people who had returned from captivity and exile, where they had been sent for forgetting You, for not praising You, for being caught up in themselves and their culture and worshiping idols rather than the One true God. I, like they and like their priests, often worship my own idols under the guise of worshiping You. You sent me away to see how I had not kept You as the Center of my life, the only One worthy of worship. Remind me again, for I have gospel-amnesia; remind me again to turn not to passive praise, which is a stench in Your nostrils, but to active praise and sincere gratitude, not with measured words but with overflowing music, song, and joy.
Praise the LORD! (not for a reason, but out of a heart overflowing with His love, goodness, and joy!)
Forit is good to sing praises to God; (It sounds like a choir director speaking.)
For it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.(a choir director, following every rule, duty, and precept, but where is his heart? Does he sing by rote?—Do I?—or with unceasing joy?)
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. (Is the psalmist looking back on what he remembered and once had seen as the city’s glory that is now a war-torn, broken place with broken people like so many people and places around the world today? Now, as he walks back with others, does he gather his own strength to encourage those outcasts with words born of his own experience?)
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Who is this God? He tells them.)
He determines the number of the stars(those God showed and promised to Abraham)
He gives to all of them their names. (He has put His name on His people.)
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure. You know us better than we can ever know ourselves, others, or even You. May I trust in You, O Lord, to know my need in this fallen heart, city, and world.
The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked to the ground. (He threw Satan out of heaven and down.)
Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; (The psalmist lists God’s gifts to all, common grace.)
…but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him (Fall in awe and worship from sincere hearts.)
In those who hope (not try to make or take for themselves) in His steadfast love. (He has made us His people, chosen us to represent Him on earth.)
He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus (even in disciplining)
With any nation, they (those He has not chosen) do not know His rules. Praise the LORD!
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
God, who knows every leaf on every tree, who has created every snowflake that falls and melts, unique with its own one-of-a-kind design, has made and knows you.Wonder in awe at His love, grace, and mercy to forgive and restore and make you fully whole again. “And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’ Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true’” (Rev. 21:5).
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are not waiting to return to earth to begin making all things new but have already begun the work, hearing our prayers, interceding for us before the Father, changing hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us not wait to give thanks and sing praise to You, for we know Your “words are trustworthy and true.” You always keep Your promises. Amen.
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Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.