Psalm 147:19 kjv
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
Psalm 147:19 nkjv
He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.
Psalm 147:19 niv
He has revealed his word to Jacob, his laws and decrees to Israel.
Psalm 147:19 esv
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.
Psalm 147:19 nlt
He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.
Psalm 147 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:7-8 | For what great nation has God... with statutes and judgments as righteous as...? | Israel's unique proximity to God and His laws. |
| Deut 33:2-4 | He came from Kadesh... with myriads of holy ones; from his right hand a fiery law for them. Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob. | God's direct gift of law to Israel. |
| Psa 78:5 | He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel... | God's divine revelation settled in Israel. |
| Ex 19:5-6 | If you will indeed obey My voice... then you shall be My treasured possession. | Israel's covenant election and unique status. |
| Rom 3:1-2 | What advantage has the Jew? Much in every way! First of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God. | God's word specifically given to the Jews. |
| Psa 19:7-11 | The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul... more to be desired than gold. | The value and perfection of God's Word. |
| Neh 9:13-14 | You came down on Mount Sinai... gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments. | God's detailed giving of laws at Sinai. |
| Psa 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | The guiding nature of God's word. |
| Isa 2:3 | For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. | Future spread of God's law from Israel. |
| Amos 3:7 | For the Lord God does nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets. | God's communication to His chosen people. |
| Deut 10:12-13 | And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart...? Keep the commandments and statutes... | Obedience to the received word. |
| Mal 2:7 | For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and from his mouth people should seek instruction. | Priests as keepers of the law. |
| Jn 1:1 | In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. | Jesus as the living, eternal Word. |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory... | Incarnation of God's ultimate revelation. |
| Heb 1:1-2 | God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions... in these last days has spoken to us in His Son. | Christ as God's final revelation. |
| Jer 31:33 | But this is the covenant... I will put My law within them, and on their heart I will write it. | The New Covenant's inner transformation. |
| Heb 8:10 | For this is the covenant that I will make... I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. | Echo of the New Covenant's spiritual law. |
| Acts 14:16-17 | In past generations He allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet He did not leave Himself without witness... | God's limited direct revelation to nations. |
| Rom 1:18-20 | For the wrath of God is revealed... because what can be known about God is plain... for God has shown it to them. | General revelation for all humanity. |
| Acts 17:30 | The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. | Divine tolerance, then command to repent. |
| Psa 119:11 | I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. | Personal appropriation of God's word. |
| Psa 119:72 | The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. | The surpassing value of God's instruction. |
Psalm 147 verses
Psalm 147 19 Meaning
Psalm 147:19 highlights God's specific and exclusive revelation to the people of Israel. It declares that the Most High chose Jacob, also called Israel, to receive His divine Word, His fixed statutes, and His just judgments. This signifies a unique and profound relationship, where God communicated His will, moral order, and covenant demands directly to them, distinguishing them from all other nations.
Psalm 147 19 Context
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise focusing on God's omnipotence and benevolent care, both for creation and specifically for His chosen people, Israel. The preceding verses (147:15-18) describe God's control over natural elements like snow, frost, and wind, showing His mighty hand in the physical world. Verse 19 transitions from this universal display of power to a unique aspect of God's interaction with humanity: His specific and particular revelation to Israel. This verse stands in stark contrast to verse 20, which explicitly states that God "has not dealt thus with any other nation." Historically, Israel's identity was fundamentally shaped by their reception of God's law and covenant at Mount Sinai, distinguishing them sharply from pagan nations who lived by human traditions or worshipped false deities.
Psalm 147 19 Word analysis
- He declares: (Hebrew: maggid) This verb signifies making known, announcing, or telling, often in an authoritative or official capacity. It implies not just an action but an intentional communication, a bringing forth of truth from the Divine to humanity. It suggests an active, revelatory role by God.
- His word: (Hebrew: d'varo) Refers to God's divine utterance, instruction, or promise. In the Old Testament, "the word of the Lord" is dynamic and potent, capable of creating (Gen 1:3), accomplishing His will (Isa 55:11), and providing light and guidance (Psa 119:105). It encompasses all aspects of divine communication, including prophecies, decrees, and covenant terms.
- to Jacob: The patriarch from whom the twelve tribes descended, foundational to the nation of Israel. Using "Jacob" here can evoke the personal relationship God initiated with the progenitor, implying a covenant rooted in personal choice and relationship.
- His statutes: (Hebrew: chuqqav) Denotes decrees, ordinances, or fixed laws. These are often seen as permanent and unchangeable divine appointments or moral boundaries, established by God's authority. They provide the fundamental structure and framework for righteous living.
- and His judgments: (Hebrew: u'mishpatav) Refers to rulings, ordinances, or expressions of justice. These are practical applications of the statutes, pertaining to specific cases or principles of fairness, equity, and righteousness. They guide how justice is to be administered and how right is distinguished from wrong within society and individual conduct.
- to Israel: The name "Israel" signifies "struggles with God" or "God contends," reflecting Jacob's transformation and the nation's unique wrestling with God. The repetition of the national name (Jacob/Israel) emphasizes the intended recipients – the entire chosen nation as a distinct entity set apart for this special revelation.
Psalm 147 19 Bonus section
The Hebrew parallelism of "declares His word to Jacob" and "His statutes and His judgments to Israel" reinforces the complete nature of God's communication and the unified identity of the chosen people. While "word" can encompass everything, the addition of "statutes and judgments" specifically highlights the legislative and moral aspects of His revelation, central to the Sinai Covenant. This distinct giving of the law formed the very bedrock of Israel's theocracy, defining their existence, worship, and ethical conduct. It was a profound act of divine grace, not based on Israel's merit but on God's sovereign choice (Deut 7:7-8). This specific divine interaction prepared the way for the coming of the ultimate Word made flesh, Jesus Christ (Jn 1:1, 14), who perfectly embodies God's word, statutes, and judgments, fulfilling and transcending the revelation given to ancient Israel.
Psalm 147 19 Commentary
Psalm 147:19 distills the essence of Israel's unique relationship with God. It emphasizes that unlike other nations who relied on general revelation in creation or their own human reasoning, Israel received direct, explicit divine communication. God actively "declared His word" – a dynamic and potent revelation – providing not just abstract truth, but concrete "statutes" for their societal and moral order, and practical "judgments" for applying righteousness in daily life. This was not a passive reception, but a deliberate act of divine election and condescension. This privilege laid the foundation for Israel's identity, covenant responsibilities, and prophetic mission. It highlights that true understanding of God's will comes from His specific self-disclosure, distinguishing revelation from human philosophy or general observation. This privilege came with the responsibility to live according to God's ways, reflecting His character to the world. Practically, this reminds believers today of the immense value of God's revealed Word (the Bible) as the primary source of truth, guiding principles, and knowledge of God, much like the Law guided Israel.