Psalm 147 8

Psalm 147:8 kjv

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

Psalm 147:8 nkjv

Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

Psalm 147:8 niv

He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

Psalm 147:8 esv

He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.

Psalm 147:8 nlt

He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.

Psalm 147 verses

Psalm 147 8 Meaning

This verse profoundly illustrates God's sovereign and continuous providence over the natural world. It portrays the Lord as the active provider, orchestrating the vital cycle of clouds, rain, and vegetation growth, thereby sustaining all life on Earth. His involvement is not a passive creation, but an ongoing, purposeful sustenance, showcasing His power, wisdom, and benevolent care for His creation.

Psalm 147 8 Context

Psalm 147 belongs to the final group of Hallel Psalms (Psa 146-150), likely composed after the Jewish exile and celebrating the restoration of Jerusalem and the return of the scattered people of Israel (v. 2). The Psalm begins with a call to praise God for His greatness (v. 1), moves to praise His redemptive acts (gathering Israel, healing the brokenhearted, v. 2-6), then celebrates His omnipotence and benevolent care over creation (v. 7-9, including this verse), and culminates by declaring His unique revelation of His word and statutes to Israel (v. 19-20). Within this flow, verse 8 acts as a tangible illustration of the same mighty God who provides for the physical world also cares for His chosen people, particularly in their time of rebuilding and restoration.

Historically and culturally, in the ancient Near East, rain and fertile land were indispensable for survival, and many neighboring cultures worshipped gods like Baal, the Canaanite storm and fertility deity, believed to bring rain. Psalm 147:8 is a strong polemic against such idolatrous beliefs, directly attributing these vital functions to Yahweh alone. It asserts that it is the God of Israel, not any false deity, who sovereignly controls the heavens, orchestrates the rain, and enables vegetation to grow, thereby demonstrating His unrivaled supremacy and His singular provision for His people and the land.

Psalm 147 8 Word analysis

• who covers (מכסה, mekassheh): This is an active participle, signifying continuous and purposeful action. It highlights God's ongoing superintendence and active control over the weather. The verb implies shrouding or clothing, depicting God as adorning the heavens with clouds, a visual display of His power and presence.
• the heavens (שמים, shamayim): Refers to the visible sky and the atmospheric expanse above the earth. This denotes the vast scope of God's dominion, not limited to just the earth's surface.
• with clouds (בעבים, be'avim): The Hebrew preposition "ב" (bê) means "in, with, by means of." Clouds are not just randomly occurring; they are God's chosen medium and instrument for His purposes, signifying His active agency in natural phenomena.
• who prepares (מכין, mekhin): Another active participle from a root meaning "to establish, make ready, set in order." This emphasizes God's deliberate, intentional, and well-ordered plan for the provision of rain, not a haphazard occurrence. His actions are always purposeful.
• rain (מטר, matar): The essential life-giving water, absolutely critical for life in an agrarian society. It represents the most direct and necessary form of sustenance from the heavens.
• for the earth (לארץ, la'aretz): The preposition "ל" (le) indicates "for" or "to." This specifies the beneficiary and destination of the rain—it is purposeful for the land and, by extension, all life that depends on it.
• who makes grass grow (מצמיח חציר, matzmiach chatzir): Matzmiach is an active Hiphil participle, meaning "He causes to sprout" or "He causes to grow." Chatzir means "grass," "herbage," or "vegetation." This phrase powerfully affirms God as the sole instigator and sustainer of plant life, indicating direct divine causation.
• on the hills (הרים, harim): Mountains or high ground, often drier and less naturally fertile than valleys. Specifying "on the hills" underscores God's abundant and comprehensive provision, capable of causing growth even in less hospitable or challenging terrains, ensuring that His beneficence extends everywhere.

Psalm 147 8 Bonus section

This verse illustrates a divine principle: God’s macro-level control (clouds in heavens) directly impacts the micro-level realities (grass on hills). This sequential provision (clouds lead to rain, rain leads to grass) demonstrates His ordered and reliable governance of the cosmos. The active participles used in the Hebrew original (covering, preparing, causing to grow) paint a vivid picture of a God who is dynamically and continuously engaged in sustaining creation, not one who set it in motion and then withdrew. This highlights the non-deistic nature of the biblical God, showcasing His constant immanence in the world He created. It is a visual sermon on the faithfulness of God.

Psalm 147 8 Commentary

Psalm 147:8 beautifully encapsulates God's active and benevolent dominion over His creation. He is not a distant deity, but intimately involved in the mechanics of the world, providing the very elements necessary for life. The progression from clouds to rain to grass growth illustrates a complete cycle of divine provision. This particular verse, within the larger Psalm, serves as a powerful testament to God's omnipotence and steadfast care, not just for the natural world but also for His people. If God so meticulously provides for the needs of the earth's flora and fauna, ensuring their sustenance and flourishing, then His care for His beloved people, Israel, and by extension, all humanity, is even more certain and profound. This truth offers comfort and assurance in His unending faithfulness and sovereign power, affirming His ability to restore and sustain in every area of life.