Psalms 147:17 (KJV)

What does Psalms 147:17 mean?

Psalms 147:17 describes how God sends out ice in pieces, like small morsels, and asks who can endure the intense cold He brings. The verse uses the image of harsh winter weather to highlight God's power over nature and how no one can withstand the cold He creates.

The psalmist is speaking to the people of Israel, praising God for His control over creation. This verse is part of a larger section that celebrates God's greatness, especially in how He commands the weather. The vivid language about ice and cold helps the reader picture the overwhelming force of nature that only God can direct.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 147:17

• "forth" (שָׁלַךְ, shalak): This word means to throw or cast out. Here, it suggests that God actively sends the ice, not just allowing it but purposefully directing it.
• "ice" (קָרַח, qerach): This is the common word for ice, emphasizing the tangible, physical aspect of the cold weather.
• "morsels" (פַּת, pat): This word usually means a small piece or fragment, like a bite of food. The comparison makes the ice seem like something God easily scatters, showing His effortless control.
• "stand" (עָמַד, amad): This means to stand or remain standing. The question "who can stand before his cold?" underlines that no one can endure such cold except by God's mercy.
• "before" (פָּנִים, panim): This word means "in front of" or "before," stressing the directness of facing God's cold.
• "cold" (קָרָה, qarah): This word refers to intense cold or frost, highlighting the severity of the weather God sends.

Why Psalms 147:17 matters

• This verse reminds readers that natural forces like ice and cold are not random but under God's command, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereignty in the psalm.
• The imagery of ice as "morsels" helps clear up any idea that these are accidental or minor events; instead, they are deliberate acts of God.
• By asking "who can stand before his cold?", the verse connects to the wider passage's emphasis on human dependence on God and the awe His power should inspire.