Psalms 147:5

Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.

Great {H1419} is our Lord {H113}, and of great {H7227} power {H3581}: his understanding {H8394} is infinite {H4557}.

Our Lord is great, his power is vast, his wisdom beyond all telling.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.

Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.

Commentary

Psalm 147:5 is a powerful declaration of God’s supreme attributes, highlighting His boundless nature and perfect knowledge. This verse serves as a cornerstone for understanding the character of the Almighty, offering comfort and inspiring worship.

Context of Psalm 147

Psalm 147 is a hymn of praise, likely composed after the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem, celebrating God’s restoration of His people and the rebuilding of the city walls. It contrasts God’s majestic power over the natural world (sending snow, frost, and winds) with His tender care for the humble and brokenhearted. The psalm encourages Israel to praise the Lord for His goodness, His mighty acts, and His specific attention to their needs. Verse 5, in particular, anchors these acts in God's inherent nature: His greatness, power, and infinite wisdom.

Key Themes

  • God's Unparalleled Greatness: The opening phrase, "Great is our Lord," emphasizes God's incomparable majesty and supreme authority. He is elevated above all creation, worthy of ultimate praise and adoration. This greatness is not merely a qualitative description but points to His boundless being.
  • Divine Omnipotence: "and of great power" speaks to God's unlimited strength and ability to accomplish all His purposes. There is no force or circumstance that can thwart His will. This power is evident in His creation, His sustenance of the world, and His ability to deliver and restore His people. For more on God's mighty acts, see Jeremiah 32:17.
  • Infinite Understanding (Omniscience): The declaration "his understanding is infinite" highlights God's perfect and boundless knowledge. He knows all things – past, present, and future – without limit or error. This includes every detail of the universe, the hearts and thoughts of humanity, and the complexities of every situation. His wisdom is not merely vast but literally "without number" or "immeasurable," meaning it cannot be fully grasped or quantified by human minds. This profound truth offers immense comfort, knowing that God's plans are always rooted in perfect wisdom, even when we cannot discern them. Romans 11:33 further extols the unsearchable depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "great" (gadol) signifies vastness, importance, and superiority.
  • "Power" comes from the Hebrew koach, denoting strength, might, or ability.
  • "Understanding" is translated from the Hebrew tevunah, which implies discernment, insight, and wisdom. It refers to the ability to comprehend and interpret complex matters.
  • The most striking phrase is "infinite," which in Hebrew is ein mispar, literally meaning "no number" or "without measure." This powerfully conveys the boundless and immeasurable nature of God's knowledge, indicating it is not just extensive but utterly limitless.

Practical Application

Understanding Psalm 147:5 has profound implications for faith and daily living:

  • Trust in Divine Providence: Knowing that God's understanding is infinite allows us to trust His plans and purposes, even when circumstances are confusing or difficult. He sees the whole picture, and His wisdom guides His power.
  • Comfort in Crisis: When faced with overwhelming challenges, we can find solace in the fact that our Lord is of great power and possesses infinite understanding. He is fully aware of our situation and capable of intervening.
  • Humility and Worship: This verse calls us to humility before a God whose wisdom and power far exceed our own. It should inspire a deeper sense of awe and lead us to sincere worship and praise for His magnificent attributes.
  • Guidance and Direction: Since God's understanding is infinite, we can confidently seek His wisdom through prayer and His Word, knowing that He has the perfect counsel for every decision and path.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 40:28 (17 votes)

    Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

  • Psalms 139:17 (12 votes)

    ¶ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

  • Psalms 139:18 (12 votes)

    [If] I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

  • Psalms 96:4 (10 votes)

    For the LORD [is] great, and greatly to be praised: he [is] to be feared above all gods.

  • Romans 11:33 (9 votes)

    ¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Nahum 1:3 (8 votes)

    The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.

  • Psalms 48:1 (8 votes)

    ¶ A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.