Psalm 147

Psalm 147

There is so much wonder and beauty in this Psalm one hardly knows where to begin. Verses 3-10 will be our focus. What is a person to do who has suffered deeply? Not just a bad day or a couple of weeks of stress but, say, 70 years of misery. Certainly those of us who have suffered lesser hardships can learn from this master course of pain. The answer is to practice the discipline and pattern of praise and giving glory to God. In that praise we find that God heals hearts that have been shattered into splinters, verse 3. Those that fear God, that is, revere Him, receive His favor. Those who are waiting and hoping for His mercy have the advantage.

In the midst of hardship, we tend to focus on ourselves and our suffering rather than on the agents of our pain. That is understandable, but the shift to focus on God's greatness is essential. Verses 4-10 are a beautiful example of that kind of praise. Notice how this is very unlike much of our praise music. Here the focus is not on our feelings or experiences but only on God's greatness. Nothing is significant when it is compared to the greatness of God.

“In my suffering, Lord, help me to turn my focus on you. AMEN."