Psalm 147:16 kjv
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
Psalm 147:16 nkjv
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;
Psalm 147:16 niv
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.
Psalm 147:16 esv
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
Psalm 147:16 nlt
He sends the snow like white wool;
he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.
Psalm 147 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Job 37:6 | For to the snow He says, "Fall on the earth," and to the showe... | God commands natural elements. |
| Ps 148:8 | Fire and hail, snow and clouds, stormy wind, fulfilling His word; | Elements obey God's command. |
| Isa 1:18 | "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." | Snow as a symbol of purification. |
| Job 38:22-23 | "Have you entered the storehouses of snow, or seen the storehou... | God's control over meteorological elements. |
| Ps 104:14 | He causes the grass to grow for the livestock... | God's provision through nature. |
| Gen 8:22 | While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat... | God's established order of seasons. |
| Dan 7:9 | ...His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was l... | Wool/Snow symbolizing divine purity/ancientness. |
| Ps 51:7 | Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whi... | Washing making one whiter than snow (purity). |
| Matt 5:45 | For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain... | God's universal providence over creation. |
| Ps 78:47 | He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore trees with frost. | God using frost/hail as an instrument. |
| Job 42:6 | Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." | Ashes symbolizing humility/repentance. |
| Gen 18:27 | Abraham answered and said, "Indeed now, I who am but dust and ash... | Ashes symbolizing human lowliness. |
| Exod 16:14 | And when the layer of dew had gone up, there, on the surface of the wi... | Manna appearing like frost (divine provision). |
| Ps 105:32 | He gave them hail for rain, and burning fire in their land. | God sends natural elements. |
| Prov 25:13 | Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger... | Snow used for illustrative comparison. |
| Jer 14:22 | Are there any among the idols of the nations that can cause rain? Or c... | God's unique power over rain, contrasting idols. |
| Amos 4:7 | "I also withheld rain from you... | God's control over weather for consequences. |
| Joel 2:6 | Before them peoples are in anguish... | Frost/hail potentially related to divine judgment (Joel 2 is locust, but wider context of divine control). |
| 1 Kings 17:1 | ...there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." | Elijah's proclamation shows God's command over weather. |
| Neh 9:14 | You made known to them Your holy Sabbath, and commanded them... | God's ordinances linked to creation (Ex 20:11, for Sabbath based on creation). |
Psalm 147 verses
Psalm 147 16 Meaning
Psalm 147:16 declares God's absolute sovereignty over natural phenomena, specifically winter elements. It vividly describes Him as the one who provides snow, which falls with the gentleness and covering quality of wool, and distributes frost, which settles widely and finely like ashes. This verse portrays God's meticulous control and pervasive presence in all aspects of creation, highlighting His power and intricate involvement in the world's functioning.
Psalm 147 16 Context
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise and a thanksgiving psalm. It is believed to have been composed in the post-exilic period, celebrating the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (v. 13) and the gathering of scattered Israel (v. 2). The psalm exalts God for two primary aspects: His majestic power and wisdom as Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos (vv. 4-9, 15-18), and His compassionate care and unique covenant relationship with His people, Israel (vv. 2-3, 13-14, 19-20). Verse 16 fits squarely within the section (vv. 15-18) that extols God's power over the elements, demonstrating that the God who controls the intricate forces of nature is the same God who faithfully governs and cares for His chosen nation. It subtly carries a polemical tone against pagan deities (e.g., Baal) who were wrongly credited with control over weather and fertility, asserting that only the God of Israel has such power.
Psalm 147 16 Word analysis
- He gives (nathan): The Hebrew verb denotes a deliberate, active, and generous act. It emphasizes that the snow's appearance is not a random occurrence but a specific provision from God. It highlights divine agency.
- snow (sheleg): A common element in the Judean winter. Its characteristic whiteness and purity often serve as a biblical metaphor for cleanliness and purity (Isa 1:18, Ps 51:7). It also brings life-sustaining moisture to the ground upon melting.
- like (ka-): This preposition introduces a simile, drawing a comparison.
- wool (ṣemer): Refers to the soft, fibrous covering of sheep, known for its whiteness, insulating properties, and often, its great abundance when shorn. It implies softness, a blanketing effect, warmth, and potentially even purity (as wool was used in purification rites). The imagery suggests a gentle, abundant, and beneficial covering provided by God.
- He scatters (pizar): This verb means to disperse, to spread widely and thinly. It suggests an act of comprehensive distribution, covering a large area, implying God's pervasive control.
- frost (kĕpôr): Delicate ice crystals that form when water vapor freezes on surfaces, often seen as a thin, brittle covering. It signifies the widespread presence of God's work, reaching every corner.
- like (ka-): Again, introduces a simile.
- ashes ('epher): The fine powdery residue left after burning. Ashes are easily dispersed by wind, fine-grained, and often imply something transient, humble, or spread out universally. While often associated with mourning or humility in biblical contexts, here it speaks to the fine, widespread, and covering nature of the frost, potentially hinting at its fragile and fleeting beauty, a subtle yet complete covering.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "He gives snow like wool": This phrase emphasizes divine provision that is soft, covering, and insulating. The whiteness of both snow and wool often connects to purity and majesty in Scripture. The imagery points to God's gentle, nurturing power in creation, blanketing the earth in a way that both protects (insulation for plants) and beautifies.
- "He scatters frost like ashes": This phrase focuses on the widespread, pervasive, and intricate nature of God's creative power. Frost, composed of countless tiny crystals, like ashes, covers vast areas with minute detail. While wool suggests warmth and protection, ashes (despite their fine texture) might hint at a cold, ephemeral aspect, underscoring the delicate balance and comprehensive reach of God's dominion over even the minutest natural phenomena.
Psalm 147 16 Bonus section
The precise control over "snow" and "frost" also implies God's timing and purpose. Snow and frost, while beautiful, are also powerful elements that dictate seasons and agricultural cycles. Their arrival, duration, and departure are fully orchestrated by God. This meticulous governance over the macro and micro aspects of nature points to an intelligent, all-wise Creator. This detailed description of natural phenomena underscores the psalm's larger theme: the God who commands these mighty yet subtle forces is the very God who tends to the brokenhearted, gathers the outcasts, and builds up Jerusalem (Ps 147:2-3). The grand scale of cosmic power is thus intricately linked to personal care for humanity, especially for His people.
Psalm 147 16 Commentary
Psalm 147:16 serves as a profound declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over His creation. The carefully chosen similes — snow like wool and frost like ashes — unveil a God who is not distant but intricately involved in the world. The image of snow like wool suggests gentle, abundant provision; a soft, warm blanket laid over the earth, indicating God's caring and nurturing character towards the very ground. Conversely, scattering frost like ashes speaks to His precise and pervasive control, reaching every nook and cranny with fine detail. This isn't just a generic statement about power; it reveals divine majesty in the seemingly common events of weather. The Psalmist calls attention to God's complete and intimate knowledge of the physical world, underscoring that the God who commands snow and frost with such meticulousness is the same God who intimately knows and faithfully cares for His people. It implicitly counters any ancient belief in a capricious or limited deity, instead presenting the God of Israel as the singular, all-encompassing force behind every natural detail, a force that both blesses and displays unmatched glory.