Psalm 147:15 kjv
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
Psalm 147:15 nkjv
He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.
Psalm 147:15 niv
He sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
Psalm 147:15 esv
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
Psalm 147:15 nlt
He sends his orders to the world ?
how swiftly his word flies!
Psalm 147 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:3, 6, 9 | And God said, "Let there be light,"... | God's word speaks creation into existence, demonstrating power and immediate effect. |
| Ps 33:6 | By the word of the LORD the heavens were made... | Affirms creation through divine speech, echoing Ps 147:15's emphasis on God's word. |
| Ps 33:9 | For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. | Directly highlights the creative power and instantaneous efficacy of God's command. |
| Ps 104:7 | At your rebuke the waters fled... | God's voice/word controls nature, similar to Him sending out His command. |
| Ps 148:5 | Let them praise the name of the LORD! For he commanded and they were created. | Reinforces God's creation by command, linking His word to His creative act. |
| Isa 55:10-11 | For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty... | God's word accomplishes His purpose and does not fail, illustrating its efficacy and speed. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. | Christ (the Word) sustains all things by God's powerful word, showing its constant action. |
| Job 38:35 | Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? | Contrasts human inability with God's effortless command over natural forces like lightning. |
| Matt 8:8-9 | The centurion replied, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word..." | Demonstrates belief in Jesus' word having instant healing power, reflecting divine command. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen... | God's power over creation (visible through His word) is evident. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth... and in him all things hold together. | Implies the divine Word's active role in creation and sustenance, resonating with Ps 147:15. |
| Ps 19:1-4 | The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. | God's creation, brought about by His word, silently testifies to His power to the whole earth. |
| 2 Pet 3:5-7 | For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God, and the earth was formed... | Reiterates creation and future judgment by God's powerful word. |
| John 1:1-3, 14 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh... | Christ as the divine Word through whom all things were made, the ultimate embodiment of God's word. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word guides and illuminates, active in guiding His people, not just nature. |
| Ez 12:28 | Therefore say to them, "Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer..." | Affirms the swift fulfillment of God's prophetic words and decrees. |
| 1 Thess 2:13 | ...you received the word of God, which you heard from us, and welcomed it not as human words, but as it actually is, God’s word, which is indeed at work in you who believe. | Emphasizes the active and effective nature of God's word when received. |
| Acts 17:24-25 | The God who made the world and everything in it... himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. | God, as creator and sustainer, acts powerfully through His word throughout creation. |
| Jer 23:29 | "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" | Illustrates the powerful, transformative, and active nature of God's word. |
| 1 Kings 18:41 | And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain." | God sends rain through His word and power, showing His control over nature. |
| Hab 3:4-5 | ...from his hand came rays of light, and there he veiled his power... Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels. | God's swift execution of His judgments and power, acting on His commands. |
| Gen 7:4 | For in seven days I will send rain on the earth for forty days... | God's declaration of rain for the flood, demonstrating His command and swift fulfillment. |
Psalm 147 verses
Psalm 147 15 Meaning
Psalm 147:15 emphasizes the Lord God's absolute sovereignty and immediate, irresistible power demonstrated through His divine word. This verse conveys that God's decrees are not merely spoken but are active, universally applied, and accomplish His will throughout all creation with unparalleled speed and effectiveness, meeting no resistance.
Psalm 147 15 Context
Psalm 147 is one of the "Hallelujah" psalms (Psalms 146-150), which primarily offer praise to the Lord for His benevolent rule over His creation and His special care for Israel. The chapter celebrates God's power in restoring Jerusalem, gathering its exiles, healing the brokenhearted, and simultaneously demonstrating His boundless power over nature, specifically the elements like snow, frost, and wind. Verse 15 follows earlier descriptions of God's mighty acts (Ps 147:4-8) and precedes specific examples of His control over nature through His "word" (Ps 147:16-18), linking the general declaration of His effective command to concrete demonstrations. The historical context likely pertains to the post-exilic period, where the returning exiles are rebuilding Jerusalem, witnessing God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through His word. This verse directly or indirectly contrasts the limited and often ineffective decrees of human kings or pagan deities with the omnipotent, universally effective, and immediately fulfilled "word" of Yahweh.
Psalm 147 15 Word analysis
- He: Refers to the Lord (Yahweh), the sovereign God of Israel, identified earlier in the psalm (Ps 147:1-5) as the Almighty Creator and Sustainer. His personal, active involvement is highlighted.
- sends out (שֹׁלֵחַ, sholeakh): This is a present participle, implying continuous or habitual action. It denotes active dispatch, a deliberate act of propulsion, indicating divine initiative and forceful authority in making His will known and executed. It suggests a proactive, decisive, and purposeful release of His decrees.
- his command (אִמְרָתֹו, imrato): Literally "His utterance," "His saying," or "His decree." It emphasizes the spoken word as an authoritative decree or declaration. Unlike a mere suggestion, imrato implies a powerful statement that carries inherent executive force. It is the expression of God's sovereign will.
- to the earth (אֶרֶץ, erets): Signifies the universal scope of God's authority and action. His decrees are not limited to a specific region or people but extend across all creation, impacting all physical existence. This highlights His cosmic dominion.
- his word (דְּבָרֹו, devaro): While related to imrato, devaro often carries the nuance of the active, living, executing power of God. It's not just a statement, but the power or energy inherent in God that accomplishes His will. It signifies God's active involvement in the fulfillment of His decrees.
- runs swiftly (מַהֵר רָץ, maher ratz): A powerful dual expression emphasizing immediate and unimpeded action. Maher (swiftly, quickly) denotes rapidity. Ratz (runs) denotes vigorous movement, implying that God’s word is a dynamic force that acts without delay, hindrance, or resistance. This stresses the instant efficacy and unchallenged authority of God’s divine pronouncements.
Words-group analysis
- He sends out his command: This phrase highlights God as the supreme authority and initiator. It points to a deliberate act of divine governance where His will is broadcast with inherent power to accomplish its purpose. The Lord is actively managing His creation through authoritative declarations.
- to the earth: This prepositional phrase emphasizes the vast and comprehensive reach of God's command. Nothing on earth, from the smallest creature to the grandest natural phenomena, is outside the purview and effect of His word. It's a testament to His omnipotence over creation.
- his word runs swiftly: This powerful declaration encapsulates the efficacy, speed, and unstoppable nature of God's active will. It's not a word that might or might not achieve its aim; it will, and it does so immediately and perfectly. It signifies divine efficiency and omnipresence in action, ensuring immediate and complete fulfillment without effort or delay.
Psalm 147 15 Bonus section
The interplay between imrato (command/utterance) and devaro (word/active force) in this verse emphasizes the twin aspects of God's communication: His authoritative pronouncement and the active power embedded within that pronouncement that ensures its immediate and full accomplishment. This dynamic distinction highlights that God's word is not a detached intellectual concept but a potent, living entity that manifests His will. The rapid execution of His word as it "runs swiftly" further distinguishes the God of Israel from all other supposed powers; He requires no time or effort for His decrees to be enacted. It undergirds trust in God's promises and commands, as His word is intrinsically tied to His omnipotence and guaranteed fulfillment.
Psalm 147 15 Commentary
Psalm 147:15 eloquently proclaims the unparalleled potency of God's divine word. It teaches that the Lord, from His throne of cosmic authority, dispatches His decrees across the entirety of creation, and these decrees are not inert statements but dynamic, living forces that "run swiftly" to accomplish His will. This imagery portrays God's effortless and instantaneous execution of His purposes. Whether it's the specific word of healing, the command over the elements (as described in subsequent verses of Ps 147), or the very words of creation, God's word is inherently performative. It does not merely inform; it actively performs. This demonstrates His supreme omnipotence, omnipresence, and unmatched efficiency, assuring us that when God speaks, His will is immediately and infallibly realized in all its appointed spheres. His commands are universally applied and never return unfulfilled.