Psalm 147
1Hallelujah!
How good it is to sing praises to our God! *
how pleasant it is to honor him with praise!
2The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem; *
he gathers the exiles of Israel.
3He heals the brokenhearted *
and binds up their wounds.
4He counts the number of the stars *
and calls them all by their names.
5Great is our Lord and mighty in power; *
there is no limit to his wisdom.
6The Lord lifts up the lowly, *
but casts the wicked to the ground.
7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; *
make music to our God upon the harp.
8He covers the heavens with clouds *
and prepares rain for the earth;
9He makes grass to grow upon the mountains *
and green plants to serve mankind.
10He provides food for flocks and herds *
and for the young ravens when they cry.
11He is not impressed by the might of a horse; *
he has no pleasure in the strength of a man;
12But the Lord has pleasure in those who fear him, *
in those who await his gracious favor.
13Worship the Lord, O Jerusalem; *
praise your God, O Zion;
14For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; *
he has blessed your children within you.
15He has established peace on your borders; *
he satisfies you with the finest wheat.
16He sends out his command to the earth, *
and his word runs very swiftly.
17He gives snow like wool; *
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.
18He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; *
who can stand against his cold?
19He sends forth his word and melts them; *
he blows with his wind, and the waters flow.
20He declares his word to Jacob, *
his statutes and his judgments to Israel.
21He has not done so to any other nation; *
to them he has not revealed his judgments.
Hallelujah!
Collect of the Day: Thanksgiving Day (USA)
Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Image Credit: Still Life: Balsam Apple and Vegetables, ca. 1820s, James Peale
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection
