Psalms 147:17 Meaning and Explanation
“He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord sends forth ice and creates cold that no creature can resist.
The Context of Psalms 147:17
God's power extends even to phenomena that overwhelm human resistance.
What Does Psalms 147:17 Mean?
The verse continues the winter imagery with greater intensity. Ice cast forth like morsels emphasizes distribution and abundance—the Lord disperses it as food is distributed. The question 'who can stand before his cold?' is rhetorical; the answer is nobody. All creation submits to the temperature the Lord establishes.
The shift from passive imagery (snow like wool) to active casting forth (ice like morsels) intensifies the sense of divine power. Cold is a force that brings discomfort and danger, yet the Lord commands it. This is not cruelty but demonstration of absolute dominion over creation. The cold itself becomes a messenger of God's supremacy.
Psalms 147:17 in the Original Language
karaf (קָרַף), 'casts forth/scatters' — suggests active, forceful distribution of the ice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 147:17
What does Psalms 147:17 mean?
The Lord sends forth ice and creates cold that no creature can resist.
What is the context of Psalms 147:17?
God's power extends even to phenomena that overwhelm human resistance.