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!
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Image Credit: Evening Snow, 1797–1861, Utagawa Hiroshige
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Open Access Collection – https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/57044
