1-3 Praise the Lord, because it's good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant and praise is beautiful. The Lord builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds. 4-5 He counts the number of the stars, He calls them all by name! Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite. 6 The Lord lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7-9 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises on the harp to our God who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food, to the young ravens that cry. 10 He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man. 11 The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy.

12-14 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you. He makes peace in your borders, and fills you with the finest wheat. 15-18 He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly. He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He casts out His hail like morsels. Who can stand before His cold? He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow. 19-20 He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgements to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any nation. And, as for His judgements, they have not known them. Praise the Lord. Psalm 147 (New American Standard Version)

I hate to admit it, but I’m a self-centred person. I suspect, though, I’m not alone. As people, we tend to look at everything around us from the position of how it will affect us. Even when it comes to God, we’re more interested in what He can do for us than what we can do for Him. We focus on what will make us happy. But have you ever wondered what 'warms’ God’s heart? What’s the answer that Psalm 147 gives in vs 10 -11?

It appears that He delights more in humble inner attitudes than bold outward appearances. Strong horses, and strong soldiers riding them, don't touch His heart as much as humble people who recognise His awesomeness, and put who their hopes and trust in His character.

The writer points to many wonderful things God does which ought to inspire our wonder, praise and trust. In verses 1-5 and 12-14 he describes how the God who knows how many stars there are, is the same One who tenderly cared for Israel, protected and fed them, and healed their broken hearted. And vs 7-9 tell that He is the one who gives rain to the earth and feeds even the beasts and birds.

What do vs 15-18 tell us about God?

He is more powerful than the forces of nature that He created and controls. As the writer says, 'who can stand before His cold'? If we can't even cope with wind and ice, how can we ever think we can barge into His presence through any merits or strength we imagine we have. Far better that we kneel in awe of Him and put our hope in His mercies. The encouraging thing is that this Psalm tells us that God delights in those who do just that! (vs 6 & 11)

That's what becoming a Christian is all about. We put our hope in the Son whom God sent to bring us into friendship with Himself. As John 17:4 says: “This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” That’s a unique relationship! And don't miss the distinction verses 19-20 make between God's people then, and the nations of those days. God gave Israel His precious words - and many responded with heartfelt praise. Matthew's gospel tells of a day when three of Jesus' disciples were on a mountain with Him and they heard a voice from heaven saying: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.” (Matthew 17:5) God is pleased when we take to heart and obey all that Jesus taught. It takes the focus off our selves, and puts it where it rightly belongs.