Psalm 147:9 kjv
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
Psalm 147:9 nkjv
He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens that cry.
Psalm 147:9 niv
He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.
Psalm 147:9 esv
He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.
Psalm 147:9 nlt
He gives food to the wild animals
and feeds the young ravens when they cry.
Psalm 147 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 1:30 | "And to every beast of the earth... I have given every green herb for food..." | God's original universal provision. |
| Job 38:41 | "Who provides for the raven its food when its young ones cry to God...?" | Direct parallel to Ps 147:9 concerning ravens. |
| Psa 36:6 | "Your righteousness is like the mountains... You save, O LORD, both man and beast." | God's salvation/preservation extends to all. |
| Psa 104:14 | "You cause the grass to grow for the livestock..." | God provides sustenance for animals. |
| Psa 104:21 | "The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God." | Creatures depend on God for food. |
| Psa 104:27-28 | "These all look to You, to give them their food in due season. When You give it... they gather it..." | Universal dependence on God for provision. |
| Psa 145:15-16 | "The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food... You open Your hand..." | God's abundant provision for every living thing. |
| Mat 6:26 | "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap... and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." | Christ's teaching on God feeding birds. |
| Luke 12:24 | "Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them." | Directly cites ravens as proof of God's care. |
| Job 12:10 | "In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind." | God's ultimate sovereignty over all life. |
| Psa 145:19 | "He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry..." | God hears the cries of His people. |
| Exod 2:23-24 | "...the people of Israel groaned... and cried out... and their cry... came up to God." | God hears the cries of His suffering people. |
| Jon 4:11 | "Should I not pity Nineveh... and also much livestock?" | God's compassion extends to animals. |
| Joel 1:20 | "Even the beasts of the field pant for You; for the water brooks are dried up..." | Beasts depend on God even in distress. |
| Hab 3:17-18 | "Though the fig tree should not blossom... livestock cut off... Yet I will rejoice in the LORD..." | Trust in God's provision amidst scarcity. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | "casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." | Implied human trust based on God's care. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches..." | God's promise to believers for provision. |
| Deut 10:14 | "Behold, to the LORD your God belong heaven... the earth with all that is in it." | God's ownership and authority over all creation. |
| Acts 17:25 | "...He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." | God is the source of all life and provision. |
| Psa 50:10-11 | "For every beast of the forest is Mine... I know all the birds of the hills..." | God's complete ownership and knowledge of animals. |
Psalm 147 verses
Psalm 147 9 Meaning
Psalm 147:9 proclaims God's meticulous and extensive care over His creation. It asserts that He is the continuous provider of sustenance for all living creatures, specifically highlighting His benevolence towards even the most seemingly helpless and wild, such as the young ravens, whose cries He hears and faithfully answers with food. This verse thus magnifies God's sovereign power and benevolent concern, revealing His detailed providence extends to every living being on Earth.
Psalm 147 9 Context
Psalm 147 is a vibrant psalm of praise to the Lord, likely composed after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The Psalm praises God for His power and wisdom in orchestrating the natural world, His control over elements like clouds, rain, grass, and snow (Psa 147:8, 16-18), and uniquely, for His special favor upon Israel by giving them His Word and statutes (Psa 147:19-20). Within this celebration of God's might and benevolent sovereignty, verse 9 fits perfectly into a segment (Psa 147:7-9) dedicated to exalting God as the active and compassionate Sustainer of His entire creation, contrasting with pagan deities who often required human sacrifice or were believed to be capricious. The immediate verses celebrate God for providing clouds, rain, and growth, leading seamlessly to His direct feeding of animals.
Psalm 147 9 Word analysis
- He gives: Hebrew: נוֹתֵן (nōthēn). This participle form indicates a continuous, ongoing action by the Lord. It signifies God's active, unwavering, and consistent role as the provider. He is not a one-time Creator who then abandons His work, but an ever-present Sustainer.
- to the beast: Hebrew: לַבְּהֵמָה (labbehēmāh). בְּהֵמָה (behēmāh) refers generally to "domesticated animals" or "cattle," but in poetic context can broadly encompass land animals or "living creatures." The definite article implies "the" collective animal kingdom, highlighting the universal scope of God's provision for all animals, not just certain types.
- his food: Hebrew: לַחְמוֹ (laḥmōw). לֶחֶם (leḥem) primarily means "bread" but is widely used in Scripture for "food" or "sustenance" in general. The possessive suffix ("its") emphasizes that God provides food that is specifically appropriate and sufficient for each creature, perfectly suited to its needs and nature.
- and to the young ravens: Hebrew: לִבְנֵי עֹרֵב (livnê ‘ōrēv). Literally, "to the sons of raven." עֹרֵב (orev) denotes the raven, an "unclean" bird under Mosaic law (Lev 11:15). Its inclusion is significant because young ravens were culturally perceived as particularly helpless, often thought to be abandoned by their parents early on (a belief perhaps alluded to in Job 38:41), leaving their survival solely to divine intervention. This highlights the profundity of God's care extending even to creatures deemed "unclean" or seemingly neglected by their own kind, emphasizing the meticulousness and boundless reach of His benevolence.
- that cry: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאוּ (‘asher yiqrā’û). יִקְרָאוּ (yiqrā’û) means "they call out," "they cry aloud." This verb conveys an urgent appeal, indicating total dependence. It emphasizes that God not only provides, but He is responsive to the innate needs and vocalizations of His creation. He hears even the inarticulate, instinctive cries of wild animals, demonstrating His omnipresent awareness and tender-hearted attentiveness. This imagery underlines that no cry, no matter how small or voiceless, goes unheard by the Lord.
Psalm 147 9 Bonus section
The imagery of God feeding the ravens served as a powerful metaphor for God's provision in Jewish thought, influencing later teachings by Jesus himself (e.g., Luke 12:24). The perceived abandonment of young ravens by their parents amplified the notion of divine care; if natural parents seem to forsake, God does not. This also indirectly showcases God's infinite resources—He provides for all living things without diminishing His storehouse. The concept of "crying out" connects animals to the wider biblical theme of lament and petition, highlighting that all creation, in its own way, vocalizes its needs to its Maker, who is attentive and responsive.
Psalm 147 9 Commentary
Psalm 147:9 serves as a profound testament to the unceasing and encompassing providence of the Lord. By stating that God "gives to the beast his food," the psalmist establishes a sweeping declaration of divine sustenance that blankets the entire animal kingdom. The specific mention of "the young ravens that cry" is particularly evocative. Ravens, often viewed as wild, cunning, and even "unclean," represent the furthest reaches of untamed creation. Moreover, ancient observers noted the perceived neglect of young ravens by their parents, making their survival seem directly dependent on God's miraculous intervention. Their "cry" underscores their utter vulnerability and dependence, yet also implies an expectation or instinctive plea to the one who hears. God's act of providing for them reveals His boundless compassion, a love that extends beyond human understanding or merit, embracing all creatures, irrespective of their perceived worth or purity. This verse implicitly rebukes any notion of a distant or indifferent deity, instead portraying Yahweh as intimately involved in the day-to-day welfare of His world. The implication for humanity is immense: if God so unfailingly and meticulously cares for seemingly insignificant creatures, how much more will He attend to the needs of His children who bear His image and cry out to Him in faith? This truth invites absolute trust in His unfailing provision for all our needs.