Psalms 147 · Verse 16

Psalms 147:16

He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.
Psalms 147:16, King James Version

Psalms 147:16 in other translations

BSBHe spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;
WEBHe gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
ASVHe giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.
YLTWho is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth.
DARBYHe giveth snow like wool, scattereth the hoar frost like ashes;
BBEHe gives snow like wool; he sends out ice-drops like dust.
WebsterHe giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

What does Psalms 147:16 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 147:15-18

15-18. God's Word, as a swift messenger, executes His purpose, for with Him to command is to perform (Ge 1:3; Psa 33:9), and He brings about the wonders of providence as easily as men cast crumbs.

Read the full comment on Psalms 147:15-18 →

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 16 He giveth snow like wool - Falling down in large flakes; and in this state nothing in nature has a nearer resemblance to fine white wool. Scattereth the hoar frost like ashes - Spreading it over the whole face of nature.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 147:12-20

The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise him for all the benefits and blessings vouchsafed to her; and these are represented by his favours in the course of nature. The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to the wind, Joh 3:8. Converting grace softens…

Read the full comment on Psalms 147:12-20 →

Psalms 147:16 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

הַנֹּתֵ֣ןha.no.Tenthe [one who] givesH5414
שֶׁ֣לֶגShe.legsnowH7950
כַּצָּ֑מֶרka.Tza.merlike <the> woolH6785
כְּ֝פ֗וֹרke.ForfrostH3713
כָּאֵ֥פֶרka.'E.ferlike <the> ash[es]H665
יְפַזֵּֽר\׃ye.fa.Zerhe scattersH6340

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 147:16

  • Job 37:6

    For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

  • Job 38:29

    Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

  • Psalms 148:8

    Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

  • Isaiah 55:10

    For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

  • Job 37:9-10

    Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
giveth.
148:8; Job 37:6; Isa 55:10
scattereth.
Job 37:9,10; 38:29

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 147:15

    He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.

  • Psalms 147:16

    He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.

  • Psalms 147:17

    He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?

Read all of Psalms 147

Psalms 147:16 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El da la nieve como lana, derrama la escarcha como ceniza.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		C’est lui qui donne la neige comme de la laine, qui répand la gelée blanche comme de la cendre;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Der Schnee gibt wie Wolle, Reif wie Asche streut;