Psalm 147:16
New International Version
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

New Living Translation
He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.

English Standard Version
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.

Berean Standard Bible
He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

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

New King James Version
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

New American Standard Bible
He showers snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.

NASB 1995
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.

NASB 1977
He gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.

Legacy Standard Bible
The One who gives snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes,

Amplified Bible
He gives [to the earth] snow like [a blanket of] wool; He scatters the frost like ashes.

Christian Standard Bible
He spreads snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He spreads snow like wool; He scatters frost like ashes;

American Standard Version
He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

Contemporary English Version
He covers the ground with snow like a blanket of wool, and he scatters frost like ashes on the ground.

English Revised Version
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He is the one who sends snow like wool and scatters frost like ashes.

Good News Translation
He spreads snow like a blanket and scatters frost like dust.

International Standard Version
He supplies snow like wool, scattering frost like ashes.

Majority Standard Bible
He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes;

NET Bible
He sends the snow that is white like wool; he spreads the frost that is white like ashes.

New Heart English Bible
He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.

Webster's Bible Translation
He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

World English Bible
He gives snow like wool, and scatters frost like ashes.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who is giving snow like wool, "" He scatters hoarfrost as ashes.

Young's Literal Translation
Who is giving snow like wool, Hoar-frost as ashes He scattereth.

Smith's Literal Translation
Giving snow as wool: he will scatter the hoarfrost as ashes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He provides snow like wool. He strews clouds like ashes.

New American Bible
Thus he makes the snow like wool, and spreads the frost like ash;

New Revised Standard Version
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He gives snow like wool; he scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He gives snow like wool and he scatters frost like ashes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He giveth snow like wool; He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He gives snow like wool: he scatters the mist like ashes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
It is Good to Sing Praises
15He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. 16He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; 17He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?…

Cross References
Job 37:6
For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the gentle rain, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’

Isaiah 55:10
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,

Job 38:22-23
Have you entered the storehouses of snow or observed the storehouses of hail, / which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?

Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.

Job 5:10
He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.

Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Job 36:31
For by these He judges the nations and provides food in abundance.

James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

Isaiah 40:7-8
The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. / The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease.”

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Jeremiah 14:22
Can the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies alone send showers? Is this not by You, O LORD our God? So we put our hope in You, for You have done all these things.

Hebrews 1:10-12
And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

Hosea 6:3
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.


Treasury of Scripture

He gives snow like wool: he scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.

giveth

Psalm 148:8
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

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.

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:

scattereth

Job 37:9,10
Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north…

Job 38:29
Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

Jump to Previous
Ashes Dust Frost Gives Hoar Hoarfrost Hoar-Frost Ice-Drops Scattereth Scatters Sends Snow Spreads Wool
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Ashes Dust Frost Gives Hoar Hoarfrost Hoar-Frost Ice-Drops Scattereth Scatters Sends Snow Spreads Wool
Psalm 147
1. The prophet exhorts to praise God for his care of the church
4. His power and wisdom
6. His mercy
7. His providence
12. To praise him for his blessings upon the kingdom
15. For his power over the elements
19. And for his ordinances in the church














He sends forth His command to the earth
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and authority of God over creation. The Hebrew word for "command" (דָּבָר, *dabar*) often signifies a powerful decree or word that accomplishes what it intends. In the context of the ancient Near East, a king's command was absolute, and here, God's command is portrayed as even more potent, reaching the entire earth. This reflects the biblical theme of God's omnipotence and His active role in sustaining and governing the world.

His word runs swiftly
The imagery of God's word "running swiftly" conveys the immediacy and effectiveness of His will. The Hebrew term for "runs" (רוּץ, *ruts*) suggests speed and urgency, indicating that God's purposes are not delayed. This can be seen as a reassurance to believers that God's plans are executed without hindrance. Historically, this reflects the belief in the power of divine speech, as seen in the creation narrative where God speaks the world into existence. It underscores the trustworthiness and reliability of God's promises, encouraging believers to have faith in His timely intervention in their lives.

He spreads the snow like wool
The comparison of snow to "wool" highlights the gentle and abundant nature of God's provision. The Hebrew word for "spreads" (נָתַן, *natan*) implies a generous distribution, akin to a shepherd spreading wool. This metaphor would resonate with an agrarian society familiar with sheep and wool, symbolizing purity, covering, and warmth. It reflects God's care and provision, even in the coldest and harshest seasons of life, reminding believers of His nurturing presence.

He scatters the frost like ashes
Here, "frost" is likened to "ashes," suggesting a light, pervasive covering. The Hebrew word for "scatters" (פָּזַר, *pazar*) conveys the idea of dispersing widely and thoroughly. In the ancient world, ashes were a common sight, used in various rituals and as a symbol of mourning or repentance. This imagery may evoke the idea of God's purifying work, as frost can cleanse the air and ground. It serves as a reminder of God's transformative power, turning what seems lifeless into something that prepares the way for new growth.

He hurls down His hail like pebbles
The forceful action of "hurls" (שָׁלַךְ, *shalach*) indicates God's control over even the most destructive elements of nature. Hail, compared to "pebbles," suggests both the smallness and the potential impact of God's interventions. In biblical times, hail was often seen as a tool of divine judgment, as in the plagues of Egypt. This phrase reassures believers of God's justice and His ability to use even harsh circumstances for His purposes, encouraging them to trust in His ultimate wisdom and plan.

Who can withstand His icy blast?
This rhetorical question underscores the futility of resisting God's power. The "icy blast" (רוּחַ קָרָה, *ruach qarah*) represents the overwhelming force of God's will. In the Hebrew context, "ruach" can mean spirit, wind, or breath, indicating the life-giving and sustaining power of God. This phrase challenges believers to recognize their dependence on God and to submit to His authority, fostering a sense of humility and reverence for His majesty.

(16) Like wool.--Both in whiteness and fleecy texture. "The snow falls in large flakes, equal in size to a walnut, and has more resemblance to locks of wool than it has in our country" (Niven, Biblical Antiq., p. 21).

"A spice quam densum tacitarum vellus aquarum Defluat.

MART., Ep. iv. 3.

Verse 16. - He giveth snow like wool. The loveliness of new-fallen snow has evidently been felt by the psalmist, to whom it has seemed like a spotless robe of whitest wool spread upon the earth. Snow, though rare in Palestine, does occasionally fall, and is said to "cover the streets of Jerusalem two winters out of three. It generally comes in small quantities; but there are sometimes very snowy winters." In 1879, for instance, snow lay in Jerusalem to a depth of seventeen inches (Geikic, 'The Holy Land and the Bible,' vol. 2. p. 58). He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. The metaphor is less appropriate, and was selected, probably, on account of the near resemblance of the two words, kephor and kaepher.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He spreads
הַנֹּתֵ֣ן (han·nō·ṯên)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the snow
שֶׁ֣לֶג (še·leḡ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7950: Snow

like wool;
כַּצָּ֑מֶר (kaṣ·ṣā·mer)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6785: Wool

He scatters
יְפַזֵּֽר׃ (yə·p̄az·zêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6340: To scatter

the frost
כְּ֝פ֗וֹר (kə·p̄ō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3713: A cover, a tankard, white frost

like ashes;
כָּאֵ֥פֶר (kā·’ê·p̄er)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 665: Ashes


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OT Poetry: Psalm 147:16 He gives snow like wool and scatters (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 147:15
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