Psalms 147:1

¶ Praise ye the LORD: for [it is] good to sing praises unto our God; for [it is] pleasant; [and] praise is comely.

Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}: for it is good {H2896} to sing praises {H2167} unto our God {H430}; for it is pleasant {H5273}; and praise {H8416} is comely {H5000}.

Halleluyah! How good it is to sing praises to our God! How sweet, how fitting to praise him!

Hallelujah! How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and lovely to praise Him!

Praise ye Jehovah; For it is good to sing praises unto our God; For it is pleasant, andpraise is comely.

Context of Psalms 147:1

Psalm 147 is part of a collection of psalms known for their themes of praise and worship, often called the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150) because they begin and end with "Praise ye the LORD" (Hebrew: Hallelujah). While the exact historical setting is not specified, many scholars suggest this psalm was composed during the post-exilic period, celebrating God's faithfulness in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering the dispersed Israelites. It beautifully intertwines themes of God's majesty over creation with His tender care for His people. Verse 1 serves as a foundational declaration, establishing the inherent goodness and beauty of offering praise to God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Imperative to Praise: The psalm opens with a direct command, "Praise ye the LORD." This is not merely a suggestion but an essential act of worship, highlighting the fundamental duty and privilege of God's people to acknowledge His greatness.
  • The Goodness of Praise: The phrase "for it is good to sing praises unto our God" emphasizes that praise is inherently beneficial. It is not just good for God, but also good for the worshiper, aligning our hearts and minds with truth and gratitude. This resonates with the idea that it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD.
  • The Pleasantness of Praise: "For it is pleasant" points to the delightful and enjoyable nature of true worship. Praise should not be a burdensome chore but a joyful expression arising from a heart filled with appreciation for God's character and deeds. It brings joy to the worshiper and is pleasing to God.
  • The Appropriateness and Beauty of Praise: The final clause, "and praise is comely," indicates that praise is fitting, becoming, and beautiful. It is the most appropriate response to the Creator and Sustainer of all things. Just as a beautiful garment adorns a person, praise adorns the worshiper and is a beautiful offering before God.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Praise ye the LORD": This is the Hebrew word Hallelujah (הַלְלוּיָהּ), meaning "Praise Yah" or "Praise Yahweh." It’s an urgent and joyful imperative to extol the personal name of God.
  • "Good": The Hebrew word is tov (טוֹב), which carries a broad meaning of being excellent, beneficial, pleasant, and morally right. It implies that praise is inherently wholesome and advantageous.
  • "Pleasant": The word used here is na'im (נָעִים), signifying something delightful, agreeable, and lovely. It speaks to the positive emotional experience associated with genuine worship.
  • "Comely": From the Hebrew root na'vah (נָאוָה), this term implies beauty, fittingness, and appropriateness. It suggests that praise is not only beautiful in itself but also perfectly suited to the nature of God and the relationship of His people to Him. It's a harmonious and becoming act.

Practical Application

Psalms 147:1 encourages believers to embrace praise as a fundamental and joyful aspect of their lives. It reminds us that praise is not just an obligation but a privilege that brings inherent good, pleasure, and beauty. In a world often filled with complaints and anxieties, this verse calls us to shift our focus to God's character and His works. Engaging in the sacrifice of praise, whether through singing, prayer, or declaration, reorients our perspective, strengthens our faith, and brings delight to our God. It reminds us that all of creation is called to glorify God, as echoed in Psalm 150:6, "Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 135:3

    Praise the LORD; for the LORD [is] good: sing praises unto his name; for [it is] pleasant.

  • Psalms 33:1

    ¶ Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: [for] praise is comely for the upright.

  • Psalms 92:1

    ¶ A Psalm [or] Song for the sabbath day. [It is a] good [thing] to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:

  • Psalms 63:3

    ¶ Because thy lovingkindness [is] better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

  • Psalms 63:5

    My soul shall be satisfied as [with] marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise [thee] with joyful lips:

  • Psalms 42:4

    When I remember these [things], I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

  • Revelation 5:9

    And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

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