Psalms 147:1-11 - Homiletics

Foundation-truths.

We are summoned by the psalmist to praise God; we are told that praise is "pleasant" and "comely" ( Psalms 147:1 ); it is an act which is congenial and fitting, because the God we worship is one who is worthy of all the homage we can pay him; he is "greatly to be praised" ( Psalms 145:3 ). The grounds on which we are invited to bless God are very familiar, but they are very sound and strong; we can never dwell too much upon them.

I. HIS INFINITUDE IN UNDERSTANDING . ( Psalms 147:5 .) "There is no searching of his understanding" ( Isaiah 40:28 ; see Romans 11:33-36 ). When we consider what must be the understanding of him who created and who sustains this marvelous framework of nature, who guides and upholds all things throughout the vast universe, every smallest thing as well as the greatest being subject to him and dependent upon him, we get some faint idea of the absolute boundlessness of the Divine wisdom.

II. HIS ALMIGHTINESS . "Of great power" (verse5).

III. HIS BENEFICENCE . ( Psalms 147:8 , Psalms 147:9 .) It would be a terrible thing, indeed, for all created beings if almighty power were under the control of malevolence, or even of selfishness. We see what happens when exceptional human power is directed by unscrupulousness; we see what suffering, what desolation, is the result. We are so familiar with the thought of God's goodness that we are not much affected by it; but we ought to be profoundly stirred by the truth that omnipotence, exercised every where in God's vast domain, through every sphere, is put forth to feed, to clothe, to shelter, to help, to relieve, to brighten, to bless.

IV. HIS CONDESCENSION . ( Psalms 147:4 .) God "humbles himself to behold" every particular star that shines in the heavens, every single event that happens on the earth, every individual human soul that thinks, that feels, that struggles, that endures. Christ "calleth his own sheep by name" ( John 10:3 ). He not only cares generally for his flock, but particularly for each member of it.

V. His RIGHTEOUSNESS . ( Psalms 147:6 .) Those who are content to accept his ruling, and to take cheerfully the humblest sphere he has assigned them, he "lifts up;" to them he gives honor, satisfaction, joy, life. The meek are made to "inherit the land" ( Matthew 5:5 ), to spend peaceful, happy, useful days. But the wicked that exalt themselves unjustly and unscrupulously, he casteth to the ground." God makes pride, violence, vice, to lead downwards, and to end in shame.

VI. HIS TENDERSESS . ( Psalms 147:3 .) When our spirit is very sorely wounded, when our heart bleeds after some specially hard blow, then we shrink from the rough handling of conventional condolence; we fee] that we cannot bear the touch of any hand but the gentlest of all. There is often the truest kindness in silent sympathy, for speech would be hurtful, and make the wound bleed again. Only Christ can help us then. He can render us the ministry we need—can heal the broken heart, and bind up its wounds. There are deep places through which, now and again, we have to pass, of which it has been truly said, " That is a mighty baptism, and only Christ can go down with us into those waters." But he can, and he does. His Divine tenderness" soothes our sorrows, and heals our wounds."

VII. HIS GOOD PLEASURE . ( Psalms 147:10 , Psalms 147:11 .) God's regard is not given to any of those outward and visible things, in beholding which we take pleasure, and on which we rely for safety; his regard is granted to the human spirit that is reverently turned to him in lowly worship, to the heart that is trusting in his promised mercy. The Divine Savior is not approving the Church that is boasting of its wealth, or its numbers, or the compactness of its organization; he is well pleased with the little company of souls that are realizing his presence, having true fellowship with him, sharing his suffering and sacrifice, leaning on his Word.

VIII. HIS SALVATION AND RESTORATION . ( Psalms 147:2 .) He who brought back the exiles from Babylon, redeeming them from servitude and dishonor, and who "built up" Jerusalem, is the God who now brings home to himself those that have been afar off; and is he who now builds up his Church in the face of its enemies.