Psalm 147 Study

(1) Praise God, for it is good to chant hymns to our God; for beautiful praise is sweet.

(2) God rebuilds Jerusalem; gathering in the downcast of Israel,

(3) Healer of their broken hearts, binding up their wounds.

(4) God counts the number of the stars;
and calls each one by its name.

(5) Great is our God and full of power;
Whose wisdom is beyond reckoning.

(6) God strengthens the lowly, and casts the wicked to the ground.

(7) Sing to Adonai with thanks, chant a hymn to our God with a harp,

(8) the One who covers the skies with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes mountains sprout grass;

(9) Who gives food to the beasts, gives to the raven’s brood what they cry out for.

(10) God does not delight in the strength of horses, nor desire the brawn of men;

(11) but Adonai values those who show reverence, those who long for God's care.

(12) O Jerusalem, praise Adonai;
glorify your God, O Zion!

(13) For the bars of your gates are strengthened, and blessed are your children within you.

(14) Your borders are granted peace, the finest wheat satisfies you.

(15) God sends word to the earth, with swift command.

(16) God lays down snow like fleece,
scatters frost like ashes,

(17) tosses down hail like crumbs—who can stand before God's cold?

(18) God issues a command—it melts; with
God's breath—the waters flow.

(19) Divine commands were announced to Jacob, God's statutes and rules to Israel.

(20) None of this was so for any other nation; they know nothing of such laws.
Hallelujah.

Calls each one by its name - the meaning is that no person is absent, and this is true and correct

Calls each one by its name - the meaning is that The Holy Blessed One created all of them by number, known by God, and for each one of them called it by a sweet name, according to the purpose for which it was created, whether for that thing's purpose or for God's purpose. And all the stars have a strong hold over the lower creatures, each one of a type that gives it strength to do its work. As our Sages of blessed memory said, "There is no blade of grass below that does not have a star above it, striking it and saying, Grow!"

The emperor said to Rabban Gamliel: It is written: “God counts the number of the stars [and calls each one by its name].” (Psalms 147:4) What is God's greatness? I [too] can count the stars. [Rabban Gamliel] brought quinces, put them in a sieve, and spun them. He said: Count them. [The emperor] said to him: Keep them still. [Rabban Gamliel] said to him: The firmament also revolves like this, therefore you cannot count the stars in it.