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Commentary on Psalms 147 verses 12–20
Jerusalem, and Zion, the holy city, the holy hill, are here called upon to praise God, Psa 147:12. For where should praise be offered up to God but where his altar is? Where may we expect that glory should be given to him but in the beauty of holiness? Let the inhabitants of Jerusalem praise the Lord in their own houses; let the priests and Levites, who attend in Zion, the city of their solemnities, in a special manner praise the Lord. They have more cause to do it than others, and they lie under greater obligations to do it than others; for it is their business, it is their profession. "Praise thy God, O Zion! he is thine, and therefore thou art bound to praise him; his being thine includes all happiness, so that thou canst never want matter for praise." Jerusalem and Zion must praise God,
I. For the prosperity and flourishing state of their civil interests, Psa 147:13, Psa 147:14. 1. For their common safety. They had gates, and kept their gates barred in times of danger; but that would not have been an effectual security to them if God had not strengthened the bars of their gates and fortified their fortifications. The most probable means we can devise for our own preservation will not answer the end, unless God give his blessing with them; we must therefore in the careful and diligent use of those means, depend upon him for that blessing, and attribute the undisturbed repose of our land more to the wall of fire than to the wall of water round about us, Zac 2:5. 2. For the increase of their people. This strengthens the bars of the gates as much as any thing: He hath blessed thy children within thee, with that first and great blessing, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the land. It is a comfort to parents to see their children blessed of the Lord (Isa 61:9), and a comfort to the generation that is going off to see the rising generation numerous and hopeful, for which blessing God must be blessed. 3. For the public tranquillity, that they were delivered from the terrors and desolations of war: He makes peace in thy borders, by putting an end to the wars that were, and preventing the wars that were threatened and feared. He makes peace within thy borders, that is, in all parts of the country, by composing differences among neighbours, that there may be no intestine broils and animosities, and upon thy borders, that they may not be attacked by invasions from abroad. If there be trouble any where, it is in the borders, the marches of a country; the frontier-towns lie most exposed, so that, if there be peace in the borders, there is a universal peace, a mercy we can never be sufficiently thankful for. 4. For great plenty, the common effect of peace: He filleth thee with the finest of the wheat - wheat, the most valuable grain, the fat, the finest of that, and a fulness thereof. What would they more? Canaan abounded with the best wheat (Deu 32:14) and exported it to the countries abroad, as appears, Eze 27:17. The land of Israel was not enriched with precious stones nor spices, but with the finest of the wheat, with bread, which strengthens man's heart. This made it the glory of all lands, and for this God was praised in Zion.
II. For the wonderful instances of his power in the weather, particularly the winter-weather. He that protects Zion and Jerusalem is that God of power from whom all the powers of nature are derived and on whom they depend, and who produces all the changes of the seasons, which, if they were not common, would astonish us.
1.In general, whatever alterations there are in this lower world (and it is that world that is subject to continual changes) they are produced by the will, and power, and providence of God (Psa 147:15): He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth, as one that has an incontestable authority to give orders, and innumerable attendants ready to carry his orders and put them in execution. As the world was at first made, so it is still upheld and governed, by a word of almighty power. God speaks and it is done, for all are his servants. That word takes effect, not only surely, but speedily. His word runneth very swiftly, for nothing can oppose or retard it. As the lightning, which passes through the air in an instant, such is the word of God's providence, and such the word of his grace, when it is sent forth with commission, Luk 17:24. Angels, who carry his word and fulfil it, fly swiftly, Dan 9:21.
2.In particular, frosts and thaws are both of them wonderful changes, and in both we must acknowledge the word of his power.
(1.)Frosts are from God. With him are the treasures of the snow and the hail (Job 38:22, Job 38:23), and out of these treasures he draws as he pleases. [1.] He giveth snow like wool. It is compared to wool for its whiteness (Isa 1:18), and its softness; it falls silently, and makes no more noise than the fall of a lock of wool; it covers the earth, and keeps it warm like a fleece of wool, and so promotes its fruitfulness. See how God can work by contraries, and bring meat out of the eater, can warm the earth with cold snow. [2.] He scatters the hoar-frost, which is dew congealed, as the snow and hail are rain congealed. This looks like ashes scattered upon the grass, and is sometimes prejudicial to the products of the earth and blasts them as if it were hot ashes, Psa 78:47. [3.] He casts forth his ice like morsels, which may be understood either of large hail-stones, which are as ice in the air, or of the ice which covers the face of the waters, and when it is broken, though naturally it was as drops of drink, it is as morsels of meat, or crusts of bread. [4.] When we see the frost, and snow, and ice, we feel it in the air: Who can stand before his cold? The beasts cannot; they retire into dens (Job 37:8); they are easily conquered then, Sa2 23:20. Men cannot, but are forced to protect themselves by fires, or furs, or both, and all little enough where and when the cold is in extremity. We see not the causes when we feel the effects; and therefore we must call it his cold; it is of his sending, and therefore we must bear it patiently, and be thankful for warm houses, and clothes, and beds, to relieve us against the rigour of the season, and must give him the glory of his wisdom and sovereignty, his power and faithfulness, which shall not cease any more than summer, Gen 8:22. And let us also infer from it, If we cannot stand before the cold of his frosts, how can we stand before the heat of his wrath?
(2.)Thaws are from God. When he pleases (Psa 147:18) he sends out his word and melts them; the frost, the snow, the ice, are all dissolved quickly, in order to which he causes the wind, the south wind, to blow, and the waters, which were frozen, flow again as they did before. We are soon sensible of the change, but we see not the causes of it, but must resolve it into the will of the First Cause. And in it we must take notice not only of the power of God, that he can so suddenly, so insensibly, make such a great and universal alteration in the temper of the air and the face of the earth (what cannot he do that does this every winter, perhaps often every winter?) but also of the goodness of God. Hard weather does not always continue; it would be sad if it should. He does not contend for ever, but renews the face of the earth. As he remembered Noah, and released him (Gen 8:1), so he remembers the earth, and his covenant with the earth, Sol 2:11, Sol 2:12. This thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and this thawing wind the Spirit of Christ (for the Spirit is compared to the wind, Joh 3:8); both are sent for the melting of frozen souls. Converting grace, like the thaw, softens the heart that was hard, moistens it, and melts it into tears of repentance; it warms good affections, and makes them to flow, which, before, were chilled and stopped up. The change which the thaw makes is universal and yet gradual; it is very evident, and yet how it is done is unaccountable: such is the change wrought in the conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.
III. For his distinguishing favour to Israel, in giving them his word and ordinances, a much more valuable blessing than their peace and plenty (Psa 147:14), as much as the soul is more excellent than the body. Jacob and Israel had God's statutes and judgments among them. They were under his peculiar government; the municipal laws of their nation were of his framing and enacting, and their constitution was a theocracy. They had the benefit of divine revelation; the great things of God's law were written to them. They had a priesthood of divine institution for all things pertaining to God, and prophets for all extraordinary occasions. No people besides went upon sure grounds in their religion. Now this was, 1. A preventing mercy. They did not find out God's statutes and judgments of themselves, but God showed his word unto Jacob, and by that word he made known to them his statutes and judgments. It is a great mercy to any people to have the word of God among them; for faith comes by hearing and reading that word, that faith without which it is impossible to please God. 2. A distinguishing mercy, and upon that account the more obliging: "He hath not dealt so with every nation, not with any nation; and, as for his judgments, they have not known them, nor are likely to know them till the Messiah shall come and take down the partition-wall between Jew and Gentile, that the gospel may be preached to every creature." Other nations had plenty of outward good things; some nations were very rich, others had pompous powerful princes and polite literature, but none were blessed with God's statutes and judgments as Israel were. Let Israel therefore praise the Lord in the observance of these statutes. Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself to us, and not to the world! Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thy eyes.
Thus then we see "the snow, the mist, the crystal:" it is good that He blow and thaw them. For if He blow not, if He Himself thaw not the hardness of this ice, "in the face of His cold who shall stand?" He abandons a sinner, behold, He calls him not; behold, He opens not his perception; behold, He pours not in grace; let the man thaw himself, if he can, from the ice of folly. He cannot. Wherefore can he not? "In the face of His cold who shall stand?" Behold him then growing harder, and saying, "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" Behold, I am growing cold, behold, I am growing hard, what heat shall thaw me that I may run? "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?....In the face of His cold who shall stand?" And who shall free himself, if God abandon him? Who is it that frees? "The grace of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord." [Romans 7:24-25] Are we then to despair? God forbid. For it goes on, "He shall send out His Word, and melt them" [Psalm 147:18]. Let not then the snow despair, nor the mist, nor the crystal. For of the snow, as of wool, a garment is being made. That mist finds safety in repentance: for, "whom He predestinated, them He also called." But even though they be the very hardest among the predestinated, though they have been for a long time hardening, and have become crystal, they will not be hard to the mercy of God. "He shall send out His Word, and melt them." What is "melt"? Understand not "melt" in an ill sense: it means, He shall liquefy, He shall thaw them. For they are hard through pride. Rightly is pride called also dulness: for whatever is dull, is also cold....Despair not even of the crystal. Hear a saying of the crystal. "Who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious." [1 Timothy 1:13] But wherefore does God melt the crystal? That the snow despair not of itself. For he says, "For this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them that hereafter should believe in Him unto eternal life." [1 Timothy 1:16] God then calls unto the Gentiles, "Be melted, O crystal; come, you snows." "His Spirit shall blow, and the waters shall flow." Lo, the "crystal" and the "snows" are melted, they turn into water, "let them that thirst, come and drink." [John 7:37] Saul, hard as crystal, persecuted Stephen unto death; Paul, now in the living water, [John 4:14] calls the Gentiles to the Fount....
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SUMMARY
Psalms 147:18 presents a vivid declaration of God's absolute sovereignty over the natural world, specifically His control over the elements of winter and spring. Following a depiction of the earth bound by ice and frost, this verse powerfully illustrates how God's authoritative word and the breath of His wind initiate a dramatic transformation, causing the frozen landscape to melt and life-giving waters to flow freely. It underscores the immediate and irresistible efficacy of divine command, revealing God as the active sustainer and renewer of creation, bringing vitality and movement after periods of stagnation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse masterfully employs several potent Literary Devices to convey its profound message about God's power. Parallelism is prominently featured through the two distinct yet complementary clauses: "He sendeth out his word, and melteth them" and "he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow." Both clauses describe God's direct, active intervention leading to a transformative effect on nature, thereby reinforcing the consistency, comprehensiveness, and irresistible nature of His power. Anthropomorphism is present in the depiction of God "sending out" His word and "causing His wind to blow," attributing human-like actions (sending, causing) to the divine to make His involvement more relatable, immediate, and understandable to the human audience. Furthermore, the melting of ice and the subsequent flowing of waters serve as powerful Symbolism for renewal, the breaking of stagnation, and the life-giving power of God. After the "frozen" state of winter, the divine command brings forth vitality, mirroring spiritual renewal and the overcoming of difficulties and barrenness by God's sovereign power.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the active, dynamic, and intimately involved nature of God's sovereignty over His creation. It portrays God not as a distant deity who simply initiated the cosmos and then withdrew, but as an ever-present Lord whose word and breath continually orchestrate the most fundamental processes of nature. The immediate efficacy of God's word, causing frozen landscapes to melt and waters to flow, serves as a powerful theological statement about His ultimate authority and the certainty of His purposes. This divine control over the elements ensures the sustenance of life and demonstrates His faithful provision, moving creation from the harshness of winter into the promise of spring. It reminds us that God's power is not limited to grand, miraculous interventions but is continually at work in the ordinary, cyclical rhythms of the world, maintaining order, bringing renewal, and demonstrating His unwavering care for all creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 147:18 offers profound encouragement and a compelling call to worship for believers today. If God can control the vast, seemingly immutable forces of nature with a mere word and a breath of wind, orchestrating the transition from frozen stagnation to life-giving flow, how much more can He manage the intricate circumstances of our lives? When we encounter "frozen" or seemingly stagnant situations—be it in our spiritual walk, challenging relationships, career impasses, or personal struggles—this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God possesses the sovereign power to melt away difficulties, break through formidable barriers, and cause new life, blessings, and opportunities to flow. It encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in His active providence, knowing that His word is inherently powerful and capable of bringing about profound change and renewal in our personal lives, just as it does in the grand cycles of the seasons. Furthermore, it calls us to a posture of constant praise and gratitude for His incredible power and faithful care, recognizing that our God is intimately involved in every detail of His creation and our existence, and that His timing is perfect for bringing about the necessary thaw and the subsequent flow of His grace.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "melteth them" refer to in this verse?
Answer: "Them" in Psalms 147:18 refers directly to the various forms of frozen water mentioned in the preceding verses of Psalm 147. Specifically, Psalms 147:16-17 describe God sending "snow like wool," scattering "hoarfrost like ashes," and casting "His ice like morsels." Therefore, when God "sendeth out his word, and melteth them," it signifies the divine act of thawing this snow, frost, and ice, transforming the previously frozen landscape into flowing waters. It highlights God's complete and active control over the entire cycle of winter and spring.
How does God's "word" act as a powerful force in this context?
Answer: In biblical theology, God's "word" (Hebrew: dâbâr) is far more than a mere utterance; it is inherently active, creative, and executive. It carries the full weight of God's will, authority, and power. When God "sends out His word" in Psalms 147:18, it means His authoritative command goes forth and immediately accomplishes its intended purpose without fail. Just as God spoke the world into existence in Genesis 1, His word here is the divine decree that directly causes the ice to melt and the waters to flow. It emphasizes that God's commands are not only effective but bring about tangible, transformative results without delay or impediment, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 147:18, with its profound emphasis on God's powerful word and Spirit bringing renewal and life to creation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the eternal Word of God made flesh, through whom all things were created and by whom all things are continually sustained (Colossians 1:16-17). Just as the Psalmist declares God's word melts the frozen earth and causes waters to flow, Jesus, the incarnate Word, demonstrated absolute authority over creation, calming raging storms with a mere command (Mark 4:39) and walking on the very waters He created (Matthew 14:25). Furthermore, the "wind" or "Spirit" of God that causes the waters to flow powerfully foreshadows the life-giving, transformative work of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out upon His ascension to inaugurate the new covenant (Acts 2:33). Through Christ, the "frozen" hearts of humanity, hardened by sin and spiritual death, are melted by the convicting and regenerating power of the Spirit, allowing the "rivers of living water"—the very life of God—to flow from within believers, bringing spiritual vitality and eternal life (John 7:38-39). Thus, the natural renewal described in the Psalm becomes a vivid and powerful metaphor for the spiritual renewal and new creation accomplished through the Word made flesh and the Spirit He sends.