Psalms 147:4 Meaning and Explanation
“He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The Lord knows the exact number and individual names of all stars.
The Context of Psalms 147:4
God's knowledge and mastery of creation illustrate why praise is warranted.
What Does Psalms 147:4 Mean?
This verse emphasizes the Lord's omniscience and attention to detail. The stars represent the vastness and complexity of creation—so numerous that humans cannot count them, yet the Lord knows each one individually. This knowledge is not passive observation but active relationship, expressed through naming.
Calling things by their names in ancient thought was an act of authority and intimacy. The Lord's knowledge of each star demonstrates both supreme power over creation and personal regard for particularity. What seems infinitely remote to humans is intimately known by the Lord.
Psalms 147:4 in the Original Language
shamayim (שָׁמַיִם), 'heavens/sky' — the visible cosmos, emphasizing the transcendent scale of God's knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 147:4
What does Psalms 147:4 mean?
The Lord knows the exact number and individual names of all stars.
What is the context of Psalms 147:4?
God's knowledge and mastery of creation illustrate why praise is warranted.