Psalms 147:13

KJV

For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

For he hath strengthened {H2388} the bars {H1280} of thy gates {H8179}; he hath blessed {H1288} thy children {H1121} within {H7130} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

For he strengthens the bars of your gates, he blesses your children within you,

Berean Standard Bible

For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you.

American Standard Version

For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 147:13 stands as a profound declaration of God's sovereign care and benevolent provision for His people, particularly exemplified through the restoration of Jerusalem. The verse highlights two primary aspects of divine favor: the establishment of impenetrable security through the strengthening of city defenses and the abundant blessing bestowed upon the inhabitants, ensuring their flourishing and the continuity of future generations. It encapsulates a vital theological truth about God's active involvement in the physical protection and spiritual prosperity of those He has chosen and redeemed, celebrating His faithfulness and omnipotence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 147 is a vibrant hymn of praise and thanksgiving, widely understood to have been composed in the post-exilic period, celebrating God's restorative work in Jerusalem and the return of its inhabitants. The psalm opens with a general call to praise God for His incomparable greatness and goodness, evident in both His majestic creation and His compassionate care for the afflicted (e.g., [Psalm 147:1-6](/psalms/147-1-6 "Psalm 147:1-6 - Call to Praise God for His Greatness")). It then transitions to focus specifically on God's particular care for Israel, emphasizing His role in rebuilding Jerusalem and gathering its dispersed people (e.g., [Psalm 147:2](/psalms/147-2 "Psalm 147:2 - The Lord builds up Jerusalem")). Verse 13, therefore, serves as a concrete manifestation of this restorative work, building upon earlier themes of healing the brokenhearted and binding up their wounds (e.g., [Psalm 147:3](/psalms/147-3 "Psalm 147:3 - He heals the brokenhearted")). The subsequent verses continue to elaborate on God's omnipotent control over nature (e.g., [Psalm 147:15-18](/psalms/147-15-18 "Psalm 147:15-18 - God's Control Over Nature")) and His unique revelation of His word and statutes to Israel (e.g., [Psalm 147:19-20](/psalms/147-19-20 "Psalm 147:19-20 - God's Word to Israel")), reinforcing the idea that His protection and provision are both universal in scope and particular in application to His covenant people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 147 is widely accepted to be the period following the Babylonian exile, specifically the significant efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and resettle its people under the leadership of figures like Nehemiah and Ezra. After decades of desolation, destruction, and foreign domination, the return to Jerusalem and the arduous reconstruction of its defenses were monumental undertakings, fraught with external opposition and internal challenges. In ancient Near Eastern culture, city gates were far more than mere points of entry; they were vital centers of civic life, commerce, legal proceedings, and, most importantly, defense. The strength and integrity of a city's gates symbolized its security, sovereignty, and the well-being of its inhabitants. The "bars of thy gates" refer to the heavy wooden or metal beams used to secure these massive gates from within, making them impregnable to invaders. Thus, God's strengthening of these bars would have been understood as a direct, miraculous divine intervention, ensuring the physical safety and stability of the city and its inhabitants. The blessing of "children within thee" speaks directly to the re-establishment of family life, population growth, and the restoration of a thriving, generational community, which was absolutely essential for the long-term survival and prosperity of the nation after the trauma and demographic loss of exile.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Psalm 147 and the broader Psalter, articulating God's comprehensive care for His people. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Protection and Security**. God is portrayed not merely as a distant deity but as an active, immanent guardian, fortifying the physical defenses of His people. This resonates with other psalms that describe God as a fortress and refuge, such as [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Provision and Blessing**. God's blessing extends beyond mere physical safety to encompass the flourishing of families and the prosperity of the community, reflecting the foundational covenant promises of fruitfulness and well-being found in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:4](/deuteronomy/28-4 "Deuteronomy 28:4 - Blessings on Children and Crops"). This demonstrates God's holistic care, addressing both external threats and internal vitality. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's Covenant Faithfulness**. The specific focus on Jerusalem and the children of Israel testifies to God's unwavering commitment to His chosen nation, fulfilling His promises of restoration and demonstrating His unique, intimate relationship with them, a theme further emphasized by His exclusive revelation of His word to Israel in [Psalm 147:19-20](/psalms/147-19-20 "Psalm 147:19-20 - God's Word to Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **strengthened (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** From H2388, this primitive root means "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer." In the context of Psalms 147:13, it denotes a powerful, active, and decisive act of fortification. God is not merely making the gates strong but actively reinforcing them, making them secure and unassailable against any threat. This implies a divine intervention that goes beyond human capability, ensuring absolute and divinely-guaranteed security for the city.
* **bars (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyach'_):** From H1280, meaning "a bolt; bar, fugitive." These were the heavy, often iron-reinforced wooden or metal beams used to secure city gates from the inside. They represented the ultimate lock and seal, signifying the complete closure and defense of a city against external intrusion. The specific mention of "bars" emphasizes the thoroughness and completeness of God's protective work, ensuring that no enemy could breach the city's defenses once secured by divine power.
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** From H1288, a primitive root meaning "to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)." Here, it signifies God bestowing divine favor, leading to prosperity, fruitfulness, and overall well-being. This blessing is comprehensive, impacting the very core of the community – its children, ensuring continuity, growth, and a thriving future for the generations to come.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates":** This initial clause declares God's active and powerful role in securing Jerusalem. The pronoun "He" refers unequivocally to the Lord, the primary subject of praise throughout the entire psalm, whose omnipotence is evident in both creation and His specific, covenantal care for His people. The "bars of thy gates" serve as a potent symbol of the city's defense and security, representing its physical integrity and invulnerability. God's "strengthening" implies a divine act of fortification that renders the city impregnable, surpassing any human engineering or military might. This is a clear promise of physical protection, ensuring safety from external threats and allowing the inhabitants to live in peace and confidence. It speaks directly to God's sovereign control over the destiny and security of His chosen people, particularly in a period of rebuilding and vulnerability.
* **"he hath blessed thy children within thee":** This second clause shifts focus from external physical security to internal prosperity and generational well-being. The "children" represent the future of the community, the continuity of the covenant line, and the fruit of the land, signifying growth and vitality. God's "blessing" upon them signifies His divine favor, leading to their growth, health, numerical increase, and overall flourishing within the city walls. This blessing encompasses not only numerical increase but also spiritual and material prosperity, ensuring that the community thrives from within, securing its future through its progeny. This demonstrates God's holistic care, providing for both external safety and internal vitality, ensuring the long-term flourishing of His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 147:13 employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message of divine care and provision. **Imagery** is prominently featured, with the vivid picture of "strengthened the bars of thy gates" immediately evoking a sense of impregnable security and divine protection. This concrete image of a fortified city gate, a crucial element of ancient defense, makes God's protective power tangible and relatable to the original audience. The subsequent phrase, "he hath blessed thy children within thee," also utilizes **imagery** to paint a contrasting yet complementary picture of internal flourishing, population growth, and generational prosperity, directly countering the desolation and loss experienced during the exile. There is an implicit **Personification** of Jerusalem, addressed directly as "thy gates" and "thy children," which gives the city a living quality, capable of receiving God's actions and blessings. Furthermore, the verse exhibits a clear form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second line expands upon and completes the thought of the first. The strengthening of gates (external security) is directly complemented by the blessing of children (internal prosperity), illustrating the comprehensive and holistic nature of God's provision. The repetition of "He hath" at the beginning of each clause also serves as an **Anaphora**, emphasizing the singular divine source of both protection and blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 147:13 beautifully encapsulates the dual nature of God's covenant faithfulness: His unwavering commitment to protecting His people from external threats and His profound desire to see them flourish internally. This verse affirms God's active, personal, and meticulous involvement in the affairs of humanity, particularly in the life of His chosen community. It teaches us that divine security is not merely the absence of danger but the active fortification by God Himself, and divine blessing extends to the very core of our being and our future generations. This holistic care demonstrates God's sovereignty over both circumstances and life itself, providing both a fortress and fruitfulness. It reminds us that our ultimate security and prosperity are rooted in His unchanging character and His gracious disposition towards those who are His, fostering a deep trust in His provision.

* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord builds the house")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon forged against you will prevail")
* [Deuteronomy 7:13](/deuteronomy/7-13 "Deuteronomy 7:13 - God's blessing on children and crops")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 147:13 offers profound comfort and a compelling call to worship for believers today. In a world often characterized by instability, fear, and uncertainty, this verse powerfully reassures us that God remains our ultimate protector and faithful provider. Just as He sovereignly fortified Jerusalem's gates against physical adversaries, He actively secures our lives, not necessarily from all hardship or suffering, but from ultimate defeat and spiritual ruin. His blessing extends to our families, our spiritual children, and the fruit of our labor, ensuring that His purposes endure through generations. This should inspire us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in His unfailing care, to pray earnestly for the well-being and spiritual growth of the next generation, and to continually praise Him for His consistent faithfulness in every aspect of our lives. It encourages us to recognize God's hand in both the obvious and subtle ways He provides for our security and prosperity, fostering a heart of profound gratitude and humble dependence upon Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life do you most need God to "strengthen the bars of your gates," providing security and protection against perceived threats or anxieties?**
* **How do you actively recognize and appreciate God's blessing on your "children" (whether literal offspring, spiritual disciples, or future generations) within your family, church, or community?**
* **What does this verse teach you about the comprehensive nature of God's care, encompassing both external security and internal flourishing, and how does this shape your prayers?**
* **Considering God's faithfulness as exemplified in this psalm, how can you better express praise and gratitude for His ongoing provision and protection in your life?**

### FAQ
**Does "strengthened the bars of thy gates" imply that God will always protect us from physical harm?**

Answer: While Psalms 147:13 speaks of God's physical protection for Jerusalem in a specific historical context, it's crucial to interpret this through a broader biblical lens. The verse certainly affirms God's power and willingness to defend His people, as seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [2 Kings 19:35](/2_kings/19-35 "2 Kings 19:35 - The Angel of the Lord strikes down the Assyrian army")). However, it does not guarantee absolute immunity from physical harm or suffering for individual believers in all circumstances. The New Testament teaches that believers may indeed face persecution and tribulation for their faith (e.g., [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus overcomes the world") or [2 Timothy 3:12](/2_timothy/3-12 "2 Timothy 3:12 - All who desire to live godly will suffer persecution")). Rather, the "strengthening of gates" can be understood metaphorically as God's spiritual protection, His preservation of His church (the New Jerusalem), and His ultimate control over all circumstances, ensuring that no weapon formed against His ultimate redemptive purposes will prosper ([Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No weapon forged against you will prevail")). Our ultimate and eternal security is found in Christ, who guards our souls and preserves us for His heavenly kingdom (e.g., [1 Peter 1:5](/1_peter/1-5 "1 Peter 1:5 - Kept by the power of God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 147:13, with its dual emphasis on divine security and abundant blessing, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist celebrated God's physical protection of Jerusalem and the flourishing of its children, Christ embodies the spiritual reality of these promises for all believers. He is the true "gate" (as declared in [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Gate for the Sheep")) through whom we enter into salvation and find ultimate security. In Him, the "bars" of our spiritual gates are eternally strengthened, not against earthly armies, but against the formidable powers of sin, death, and the devil. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has utterly conquered these ultimate enemies, providing an unassailable spiritual fortress for all who believe (as affirmed in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over spiritual powers")). Furthermore, the blessing upon "thy children" is fully and gloriously realized in Christ. As the "firstborn among many brothers" (as described in [Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the image of His Son")), Jesus makes us children of God by adoption (a truth beautifully articulated in [Galatians 4:5](/galatians/4-5 "Galatians 4:5 - Adoption as Sons")). Through our union with Him, we receive "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (as declared in [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")), including the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live fruitful lives that bear the fruit of righteousness (e.g., [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, Jesus is not only our impregnable defense and the guarantor of our eternal security but also the inexhaustible source of eternal life and spiritual prosperity, ensuring that His spiritual family flourishes eternally within the New Jerusalem (as depicted in [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem Descends")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 128:3

Thy wife [shall be] as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

Psalms 128:6

Yea, thou shalt see thy children's children, [and] peace upon Israel.

Psalms 115:14

The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children.

Psalms 115:15

Ye [are] blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.

Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

Isaiah 44:5

One shall say, I [am] the LORD'S; and another shall call [himself] by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe [with] his hand unto the LORD, and surname [himself] by the name of Israel.

Jeremiah 30:19

And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.