Psalm 147:4 kjv
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
Psalm 147:4 nkjv
He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
Psalm 147:4 niv
He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.
Psalm 147:4 esv
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Psalm 147:4 nlt
He counts the stars
and calls them all by name.
Psalm 147 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:16 | "God made the two great lights... He made the stars also." | God created stars |
| Neh 9:6 | "You made the heavens... with all their host..." | God as the sole Creator of heavens and hosts |
| Isa 40:26 | "Lift up your eyes on high... He brings out their host by number..." | God leads the celestial bodies by number and name |
| Job 9:9 | "He made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south..." | God created constellations |
| Ps 33:6 | "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth." | God created stars by His word |
| Jer 32:17 | "Ah, Lord GOD! It is You who made the heavens and the earth by Your great power..." | God's great power in creation |
| Col 1:16-17 | "For by Him all things were created... and in Him all things hold together." | Christ as the sustainer and creator |
| Ps 139:1-4 | "O LORD, You have searched me and known me..." | God's omniscience, knowing every detail |
| Isa 46:10 | "declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things not yet done..." | God's complete knowledge of future |
| Matt 10:30 | "But even the hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's meticulous knowledge extends to humanity |
| 1 Jn 3:20 | "for God is greater than our heart and knows everything." | God's superior and comprehensive knowledge |
| Heb 4:13 | "And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed..." | God's complete knowledge, nothing is hidden |
| Gen 15:5 | "Look toward heaven, and count the stars, if you are able to number them..." | Illustrates the vastness of the stars |
| Jer 33:22 | "As the host of heaven cannot be numbered..." | Emphasizes the immeasurable multitude of stars |
| Ps 8:3-4 | "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars..." | God's glory displayed in celestial bodies |
| Ps 19:1 | "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." | Creation reveals God's glory |
| Rom 1:20 | "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities... are clearly seen..." | God's attributes are revealed through creation |
| Isa 43:1 | "But now thus says the LORD, He who created you... 'I have called you by name...'" | God's personal calling of His people |
| Jn 10:3 | "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." | Jesus knows and calls His followers personally |
| Rev 3:5 | "...I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name..." | God knows names in the book of life |
| Amos 5:8 | "He who made the Pleiades and Orion, who turns midnight into dawn..." | God's cosmic power and ordering |
| Ps 104:1-2 | "You are clothed with splendor and majesty, wrapping Yourself in light..." | God's majesty and covering with creation |
| Job 38:31-33 | "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?... Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?" | God challenges human understanding of cosmic order |
Psalm 147 verses
Psalm 147 4 Meaning
Psalm 147:4 proclaims the magnificent sovereignty and infinite knowledge of the Creator. It reveals that God meticulously counts and precisely knows the number of every single star in the immense universe, a number incomprehensibly vast to humanity. Furthermore, He calls each one by its specific name, signifying His personal ownership, intimate relationship, and ultimate authority over all celestial bodies. This verse underscores God's boundless power, unparalleled wisdom, and perfect order in creation.
Psalm 147 4 Context
Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise and thanksgiving, likely composed during or after the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the return of exiles (Ps 147:2, 13-14). It extols God for His dual nature: His greatness and power demonstrated in the vast universe, and His compassionate care and active involvement in the lives of His people. The chapter transitions from God's cosmic dominion (Ps 147:4-5, 8-9) to His particular kindness towards Zion and Israel (Ps 147:2-3, 13-14, 19-20). Verse 4, detailing God's knowledge of the stars, sets the stage for His profound concern for His human creatures, asserting that the God mighty enough to manage the entire cosmos with precision is also tender enough to heal the brokenhearted and sustain the humble. It directly challenges any polytheistic or astrological worldview that might attribute control over the stars to other deities or forces, firmly placing all such power and knowledge solely in the hands of the LORD.
Psalm 147 4 Word analysis
He tells: From the Hebrew root סָפַר (sāphar), meaning "to count," "to number," or "to recount/declare." It implies not merely observation, but a comprehensive, accurate enumeration, indicating precise, intimate, and exhaustive knowledge. God doesn't guess or estimate; He knows the exact number. This word is also used for recording history or writing down, suggesting a definitive registry.
the number: (מִסְפָּר - mispar), related to the verb "tells," this noun emphasizes the sheer quantity and the fact that despite the unimaginable vastness, each star is quantifiable by God. It signifies mathematical precision on a cosmic scale, demonstrating divine intellect beyond human comprehension.
of the stars: (לַכּוֹכָבִים - lakōḵāvīm), referring to "celestial bodies" or "stars." In ancient cultures, stars were often deified or seen as indicators of destiny (astrology). By asserting His absolute control over "the stars," the psalmist directly contrasts God with such pagan beliefs, declaring the LORD as the singular sovereign over all creation, including that which man might fear or worship.
He calls: (קֹרֵא - qōrēʾ), meaning "to call," "to summon," "to proclaim." This verb suggests personal engagement, authority, and ownership. Calling by name indicates a relationship, recognition, and command, far beyond mere observation. It reflects the idea of a shepherd knowing his sheep by name or a sovereign naming his subjects.
them all: The use of "them all" (לָהֶם כֻּלָּם - lahêm kullām) emphasizes universality. Not some, not most, but every single one of the uncountably many stars falls under God's personal dominion and precise knowledge.
by name: (בְּשֵׁמוֹת - bəšēmōṯ, plural "names" or "by names"). To call something by name, especially in biblical thought, implies creation, possession, authority, and destiny (e.g., God names Adam, names Israel). For God to name every star signifies an intimate, sovereign relationship. Each star, though appearing similar to the human eye, is distinct and known individually to God. This elevates God's knowledge and power to an incomprehensible level, asserting that He assigns their very being and purpose.
"He tells the number of the stars": This phrase highlights God's omniscience and omnipotence as demonstrated in His command over cosmic statistics. It’s a testament to His infinite computational power and precision, defying any human ability to even perceive, let alone count, the multitude of celestial bodies. It serves as a direct polemic against any notion of chaos or arbitrary formation in the cosmos, affirming a divine order.
"He calls them all by name": This signifies God's personal, intimate, and sovereign dominion over every single celestial entity. It is an astounding claim that elevates God above any lesser deity or impersonal force. If God knows and names every star, His knowledge is beyond all limits. It further polemicizes against the pagan notion of impersonal forces or deities, affirming a personal, all-knowing God. This is an incredible declaration of the Creator's specific interest and relationship with His creation, down to the smallest detail.
Psalm 147 4 Bonus section
The immensity of the number of stars is practically unfathomable: scientists estimate billions of galaxies, each containing billions of stars. For the human mind to conceive of counting and naming each of these celestial bodies individually underscores the incomprehensibility of God's nature. This profound truth about God's cosmic scale is echoed in His intimate knowledge of creation on an individual level, such as knowing the number of hairs on a person's head (Matt 10:30) or the exact moment of a sparrow's fall (Matt 10:29). This juxtaposition highlights that God's infinite power and knowledge are not abstract concepts but personal attributes applied to both the grandest and minutest details of existence. The specific mention of "calling by name" also speaks to the Hebrew understanding of "name" not just as an identifier but as representing the very character, essence, and destiny of a thing or person.
Psalm 147 4 Commentary
Psalm 147:4 presents an awe-inspiring portrait of God's character through His relationship with the cosmos. It contrasts human limitations with divine boundlessness. Where humanity can only gaze at the night sky in wonder, unable to quantify the glittering masses, God precisely counts each one. Where we see an innumerable multitude, He identifies and calls each star by a unique name. This act signifies more than just knowledge; it implies absolute authority, detailed order, and a deeply personal relationship with every aspect of His creation. The verse demonstrates God's perfect omniscience (He knows every single one) and His unlimited omnipotence (He exercises personal control over them). This cosmic order and intimate knowledge underscore a foundational truth: if God is so mighty and meticulous with inanimate stars, His capacity for knowing and caring for His human creation, made in His image and loved infinitely, is even greater. This truth invites trust and worship, showing that the God of cosmic majesty is also the God of personal attention.