In the Psalms King David often magnified the name of the Lord by rehearsing his work in creation. Throughout the songs are great phrases about his placement and naming of the stars, his arrangement of the clouds, how he sends forth rain, and scatters the snow. There are also many references of the providential care he provides for Israel, and the special place Jerusalem held in his redemptive plan. They are all thrilling notes of his creative majesty and the blessings he brings to the earth and his people.
McEvedy and Jones (Atlas of World Population History, 1978) estimated that the population of the world close to the time of King David was roughly 50,000,000 people. Some argue today for slightly more or less. The population of the earth today approaches 7,000,000,000, that is billion. The inhabitants of planet earth have grown in number, and will continue to grow.
So, that brings me to Psalm 147. It is a beautiful song about his creation and his nation. Among the phrases about the stars, rain, snow, beasts, grass, and sovereign care for the world he shaped, there are a couple of personal notes to the people who live on that planet. The work of his hands includes special care to his people.
Please give it a read, right now.
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his
steadfast love.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules.
Praise the Lord!
Did you notice?
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
The Lord lifts up the humble...
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his
steadfast love.
In this huge world, in the changing times, he has considered me and you. Yes, Praise the Lord is very appropriate on this Lord's Day.
So, praise the Lord!