Weekly devotion based on Psalm 147 AML, Lara, Drysdale, Portarlington & St Leonards Congregations Wednesday 3th Feb 2021

Welcome Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.

Opening Prayer Gracious and loving God, we praise you for your creation; for the wonder of space, the beauty of the world and the value of every living being and creature and the earth’s resources. You have provided the resources of the world to sustain life and to support the life of all people, and have so ordered our life that we are dependent upon each other. Bless and forgive us all in our daily life and work and, as you have given us the knowledge to produce plenty, so give us the will to bring it within reach of all; through Jesus Christ our Lord, .

Psalm 147:1-11, 20 God as the agent of creation and the healing of the world.

1 Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise Is fitting. 2 The Lord builds up ; he gathers the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds. 4 He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names. 5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure. 6 The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground. 7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre. 8 He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner; 11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. 20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!

Reflection: Psalm 147 is the second of five “Alleluia” hymns that close the (- 150). Each of the last five starts and ends with the imperative, “Praise the Lord!” The call to praise the Lord is literally the call for a response. The audience is called to open their mouths, lift up their voices, and join in the psalmist’s joyous song in worship and to sing those songs out in the world. The songs are praises and testimonies to God and about God.

Praise to God: “All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord” (145:10). Praise about God: “The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground” (147:6).

Psalm 147 is exclusively praise that is sung about God. Here’s a testimony that bears witness about God as the Creator and Redeemer/Healer to all who hear that God is God. God is the one who creates, heals and sustains creation – e.g., stars, hills, grass, animals, humanity, rain, earth and clouds.

Praise the Lord!

A poem by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 147 With songs and honors sounding loud, Address the Lord on high; Over the heav'ns he spreads his cloud, And waters veil the sky.

He sends his showers of blessing down To cheer the plains below; He makes the grass the mountains crown, And corn in valleys grow.

He gives the grazing ox his meat, He hears the raven's cry; But man, who tastes his finest wheat, Should raise his honors high.

His steady counsels change the face Of the declining year; He bids the sun cut short his race, And wintry days appear.

His hoary frost, his fleecy snow, Descend and clothe the ground; The liquid streams forbear to flow, In icy fetters bound.

When from the dreadful stores on high He pours the rattling hail, The wretch that dares this God defy Shall find his courage fail.

He sends his word, and melts the snow, The fields no longer mourn; He calls the warmer gales to blow, And bids the spring return.

The changing wind, the flying cloud, Obey his mighty word: With songs and honors sounding loud, Praise ye the sovereign Lord.

Prayer Holy and loving God, creator of all that are in heaven and on earth. Grant us your peace that we might rejoice in you always, Make us gentle to everyone; Keep us from being anxious about anything – Help us to ask you for what we need, with thanksgiving; And let your peace guard our hearts and minds.

Look tenderly to all who are suffering in body mind and soul We pray especially with and for all who are sick and for all who care for them In your grace Lord, you receive those who have died. We pray for your peace for those who mourn.

By the prayer of Jesus Lord, teach us how to pray. By the grace of Jesus, Lord, teach give us how to give. By the labours of Jesus, Lord, teach us how to work. By the love of Jesus, Lord, teach us how to love, BY the cross of Jesus, Lord, teach us how to live.

Blessing The Lord who made heaven and earth, watch over you, the Lord be close by your side, the Lord guard your life and keep you from harm, the Lord protect you as you come and go, and bless you now and evermore. Amen.

Acknowledgment NRSV Bible Google Images Commentary on Psalm 147:1-11, 20 by Rolf Jacobson A poem by Isaac Watts based on Psalm 147 Prayer: ‘By the prayer of Jesus’ from Prayers for the People – Leaders Edition p77