Psalms 147:18

18 He sends out his word and melts them; he blows his breath, the water flows.

Psalms 147:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 147:18

He sendeth out his word, and melteth them
The snow, the hoar frost, and ice: this he does by a word of his, who can freeze the earth and waters, and thaw them at his pleasure; by ordering the sun to break forth with great heat, or rain to fall in great plenty; of both which Kimchi interprets his word; as well as by causing a warm wind to blow, as follows,

he causeth his wind to blow, [and] the waters to flow:
the south wind particularly; then the waters, which were still and motionless, flow as before, or more abundantly. Thus the hearts of men in a state of nature are like frozen earth or waters; they are cold, and without the heat of love, and affection to God and Christ, and spiritual things; they are as hard as a stone, and without any motion or desire after things divine and heavenly: but when the Lord sends his word, attended with a divine power and efficacy, it breaks and melts them; when the south wind of the blessed Spirit blows upon them, or his grace becomes effectual in convincing them of sin, righteousness, and judgment; and when the sun of righteousness arises on them with healing in his wings; with which being warmed, they are loosened, and flow to the Lord and his goodness for all spiritual blessings.

Psalms 147:18 In-Context

16 [He] gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes;
17 [he] throws his hail like crumbs. Who can stand before his cold?
18 He sends out his word and melts them; he blows his breath, the water flows.
19 [He] declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
20 He has not done so for any nation, and they do not know [his] ordinances. Praise Yah.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.