Psalms 147:4

KJV

He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by [their] names.

KJV (with Strong's)

He telleth {H4487} the number {H4557} of the stars {H3556}; he calleth {H7121} them all by their names {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He determines how many stars there are and calls them all by name.

Berean Standard Bible

He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.

American Standard Version

He counteth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 147:4 stands as a profound declaration of God's infinite knowledge, omnipotent power, and meticulous sovereignty over creation. It portrays the Creator as one who not only brings forth the vast expanse of the cosmos but also possesses an intimate, precise understanding of every celestial body, assigning each a unique identity. This verse serves as a powerful testament to divine order and control, contrasting the seemingly immeasurable and chaotic nature of the universe with God's absolute mastery and personal familiarity with all that He has made.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 147 is a vibrant hymn of praise, likely composed during a period of national restoration, possibly after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. The psalm seamlessly weaves together two primary themes: God's benevolent care for His covenant people, Israel, and His majestic sovereignty over the natural world. Verses 2-3 celebrate God's work in rebuilding Jerusalem and healing the brokenhearted, while verses 5-6 pivot to His greatness and power over the elements. Verse 4, with its focus on the stars, serves as a bridge, illustrating God's immense power and knowledge in the cosmic realm, which then undergirds His specific, tender care for His people on earth. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail His control over weather and provision for living creatures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the stars were often associated with divine beings, fate, or astrological practices. Many cultures worshipped celestial bodies or believed them to be beyond human comprehension and control. Against this backdrop, Psalm 147:4 presents a radical monotheistic claim: the God of Israel is not merely one deity among many, nor is He subject to the stars; rather, He is the sole Creator and Sovereign over them. His ability to "tell the number" and "call by name" directly challenges pagan notions of cosmic chaos or rival deities, asserting Yahweh's unique, unparalleled authority. Furthermore, in a culture where naming signified ownership, authority, and intimate knowledge, God's naming of the stars underscored His absolute dominion.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights God's **Omniscience and Omnipotence**, demonstrating a knowledge and power that far transcend human capacity. To precisely number and name countless stars speaks to an infinite understanding and control over creation, a theme echoed in passages like [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "Isaiah 40:26 - God Calls the Stars by Name") and [Job 9:7-9](/job/9-7 "Job 9:7-9 - God's Power Over Creation"). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Order and Control** in the cosmos. Far from being a chaotic or unmanaged expanse, the universe operates under God's meticulous governance, a concept foundational to the biblical worldview, as seen in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Lastly, this cosmic portrayal of God's knowledge and care provides a profound basis for understanding His **Intimate and Personal Care** for humanity. If God knows every star by name, how much more does He know and care for each individual, especially those made in His image and redeemed by His grace, a truth beautifully affirmed in [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stars (Hebrew, _kôwkâb'_):** This term refers to any celestial body that shines, including stars, planets, and possibly constellations. In ancient cosmology, these were seen as innumerable and often associated with divine power or destiny. The psalmist's declaration that God numbers and names them directly challenges any notion of their independent power or chaotic existence, asserting God's absolute sovereignty over all cosmic entities.
* **Telleth (Hebrew, _mânâh'_):** This primitive root means "to weigh out," "to allot," "to enumerate," or "to enroll." Here, it conveys the idea of a precise, exact count, not merely an estimation. It implies an exhaustive knowledge and meticulous record-keeping of every single star, an act utterly beyond human capability. This word emphasizes God's infinite intelligence and His comprehensive understanding of His creation, down to the minutest detail.
* **Names (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** More than just an identifier, a "name" in biblical culture often represented character, authority, and intimate knowledge. To name something signified ownership, control, and a personal relationship. God's act of naming each star signifies His sovereign authority over them; they exist by His command, are sustained by His will, and are known to Him individually, reflecting His intimate involvement with His creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He telleth the number of the stars":** This clause emphasizes God's omniscience and omnipotence. It highlights His ability to perform a task that is humanly impossible – to precisely count the countless stars in the universe. This speaks to His boundless knowledge, His meticulous attention to detail, and His absolute mastery over the vastness of creation. It implies an ordered universe, not a chaotic one, where every element is accounted for by its Creator.
* **"he calleth them all by [their] names":** This second clause deepens the understanding of God's relationship with His creation. Beyond merely numbering, God assigns each star a unique name. In the ancient world, naming signified authority, ownership, and intimate knowledge. This act demonstrates God's personal relationship with and sovereign control over every celestial body. It suggests that each star has a purpose and place within God's divine design, known and ordained by Him. This intimate knowledge of the stars serves as a powerful metaphor for His even greater, more profound knowledge and care for humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 147:4 effectively employs several **literary devices** to convey its profound theological message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of God numbering and naming the stars, a task that is literally impossible for humans, thus magnifying God's infinite power and knowledge. This exaggeration serves to impress upon the reader the vastness of God's capabilities. **Anthropomorphism** is also present, as God is described with human-like actions of "telling" and "calling by name," making His divine attributes more relatable and comprehensible to a human audience. This device helps us grasp God's personal involvement and meticulous attention. Furthermore, the verse uses **Metonymy** where "stars" stand for the entire cosmos or all of creation, implying that if God has such intimate knowledge and control over the most distant and numerous elements of His creation, then His dominion and care extend universally. The parallel structure of the two clauses ("He telleth...; he calleth...") also creates a sense of **poetic parallelism**, reinforcing and expanding upon the central idea of God's comprehensive sovereignty and intimate knowledge.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 147:4 serves as a foundational theological statement regarding God's absolute sovereignty and infinite knowledge. It establishes that the Creator is not a distant, disengaged deity but one intimately acquainted with every detail of His vast cosmos. This profound truth undergirds the biblical understanding of divine providence – that God actively governs and sustains all things, from the largest galaxies to the smallest particles. If God meticulously numbers and names every star, His care and knowledge of humanity, especially His covenant people, is even more certain and profound. This cosmic perspective of God's greatness provides immense comfort and calls for worship, reminding us that our lives, though seemingly small, are known and cared for by the God who holds the universe in His hand.

* [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "Isaiah 40:26 - God Brings Out the Starry Host by Number")
* [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love")
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The truth revealed in Psalm 147:4 offers a profound wellspring of comfort, humility, and inspiration for the believer. In a world that often feels chaotic, overwhelming, or impersonal, this verse reminds us that we serve a God of infinite order and intimate knowledge. If the Creator of the universe, who meticulously knows and names every single star—an astronomical number beyond human reckoning—is so vast and powerful, then His concern for our individual lives is even more profound and certain. This should humble us, recognizing our place within His magnificent creation, yet also uplift us, knowing that our every detail is known to Him. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign wisdom and perfect plan, knowing that nothing in our lives is unknown, overlooked, or beyond His control. When facing anxieties, uncertainties, or feelings of insignificance, we can look to the night sky and remember that the God who orchestrates the cosmos also cares for us personally, inviting a response of deep worship, awe, and unwavering faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does contemplating God's knowledge of the stars impact your understanding of His knowledge of your own life and circumstances?**
* **In what ways does the concept of God naming each star affirm His personal care and sovereignty over all creation, including you?**
* **What anxieties or worries can you surrender to the God who numbers the stars and calls them by name?**
* **How might this verse inspire greater worship and awe in your daily life?**

### FAQ
**Does Psalm 147:4 imply that God literally gives each star a unique name like "Sirius" or "Polaris"?**

Answer: While the verse uses anthropomorphic language, the primary implication is not necessarily that God has a human-like registry of individual names for every star. Rather, "calling them all by their names" signifies God's absolute and intimate knowledge, ownership, and sovereign control over every single celestial body. In ancient Near Eastern thought, to name something was to exercise authority over it and to possess full knowledge of its essence and purpose. Therefore, it means God knows each star perfectly, distinguishes it from all others, and has ordained its existence and function within His cosmic plan. This emphasizes His meticulous order and personal involvement in creation, far beyond human comprehension or capacity, as also seen in [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "Isaiah 40:26 - God Brings Out the Starry Host by Number").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 147:4, with its magnificent portrayal of God's cosmic sovereignty and intimate knowledge, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Jesus as the active agent of creation, the very one through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Therefore, it is through Christ that the stars were numbered and named. He is not only the Creator but also the sustainer, "upholding the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds the Universe")). The same infinite knowledge and meticulous care that God demonstrates for the stars is poured out supremely in Christ for humanity. If the Father knows every hair on our head ([Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")), it is because the Son, who fully reveals the Father, embodies this intimate, personal knowledge. The God who calls the stars by name is the same God who calls us by name into salvation through the redemptive work of Christ, demonstrating that His cosmic power is inextricably linked to His personal, saving love for His people, culminating in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Isaiah 40:26

Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these [things], that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that [he is] strong in power; not one faileth.

Psalms 148:3

Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.

Psalms 8:3

¶ When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Genesis 15:5

And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.