Psalms 147:5
Psalms 147:5 in Multiple Translations
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
Great is our Lord, and great his power; there is no limit to his wisdom.
Our Lord is great! His power is immense! There's no limit to what he understands!
Great is our Lord, and great is his power: his wisdome is infinite.
Great [is] our Lord, and abundant in power, Of His understanding there is no narration.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power. His understanding is infinite.
Great is our LORD, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Who giveth snow like wool: scattereth mists like ashes.
Yahweh is great and very powerful, and no one can measure how much he understands.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 147:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 147:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
גָּד֣וֹל
אֲדוֹנֵ֣י/נוּ
וְ/רַב
כֹּ֑חַ
לִ֝/תְבוּנָת֗/וֹ
אֵ֣ין
מִסְפָּֽר
גָּד֣וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
אֲדוֹנֵ֣י/נוּ
ʼâdôwn
H113
lord
N-mp | Suff
וְ/רַב
rab
H7227
many
Conj | Adj
כֹּ֑חַ
kôach
H3581
reptile
N-ms
לִ֝/תְבוּנָת֗/וֹ
tâbûwn
H8394
understanding
Prep | N-fs | Suff
אֵ֣ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
מִסְפָּֽר
miçpâr
H4557
number
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 147:5
גָּד֣וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
אֲדוֹנֵ֣י/נוּ
ʼâdôwn
H113
"lord"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word ʼâdôwn refers to a lord or master, and can be used to describe human leaders or God. It emphasizes the person's power and control over others or things, and is often translated as lord or master.
Definition: 1) firm, strong, lord, master 1a) lord, master 1a1) reference to men 1a1a) superintendent of household, of affairs 1a1b) master 1a1c) king 1a2) reference to God 1a2a) the Lord God 1a2b) Lord of the whole earth 1b) lords, kings 1b1) reference to men 1b1a) proprietor of hill of Samaria 1b1b) master 1b1c) husband 1b1d) prophet 1b1e) governor 1b1f) prince 1b1g) king 1b2) reference to God 1b2a) Lord of lords (probably = "thy husband, Yahweh") 1c) my lord, my master 1c1) reference to men 1c1a) master 1c1b) husband 1c1c) prophet 1c1d) prince 1c1e) king 1c1f) father 1c1g) Moses 1c1h) priest 1c1i) theophanic angel 1c1j) captain 1c1k) general recognition of superiority 1c2) reference to God 1c2a) my Lord, my Lord and my God 1c2b) Adonai (parallel with Yahweh)
Usage: Occurs in 281 OT verses. KJV: lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with 'Adoni-'. See also: Genesis 18:3; 1 Samuel 25:30; 2 Kings 6:5.
וְ/רַב
rab
H7227
"many"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
כֹּ֑חַ
kôach
H3581
"reptile"
N-ms
Koach means strength or power, referring to human, angelic, or God's might. It can also describe the strength of animals or the produce of soil.
Definition: 1) a small reptile, probably a kind of lizard, which is unclean 1a) perhaps an extinct animal, exact meaning is unknown
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth. See also: Genesis 4:12; Job 36:5; Psalms 22:16.
לִ֝/תְבוּנָת֗/וֹ
tâbûwn
H8394
"understanding"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
Tabún means understanding or intelligence, implying skill or insight. It is translated as discretion, reason, or wisdom in the KJV Bible, referring to the act or faculty of understanding.
Definition: 1) understanding, intelligence 1a) the act of understanding 1a1) skill 1b) the faculty of understanding 1b1) intelligence, understanding, insight 1c) the object of knowledge 1d) teacher (personification)
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom. See also: Exodus 31:3; Proverbs 8:1; Psalms 49:4.
אֵ֣ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
מִסְפָּֽר
miçpâr
H4557
"number"
N-ms
This word refers to a number or quantity, whether large or small, and can also mean a narrative or story. It is used in many biblical contexts to describe counting or recounting events. In the Bible, it appears in passages about census and genealogy.
Definition: 1) number, tale 1a) number 1a1) number 1a2) innumerable (with negative) 1a3) few, numerable (alone) 1a4) by count, in number, according to number (with prep) 1b) recounting, relation
Usage: Occurs in 129 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time. See also: Genesis 34:30; 1 Chronicles 12:24; Psalms 40:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 147:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 147:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 147:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 147:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 147:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 147:5
- Sermons on Psalms 147:5
Context — It Is Good to Sing Praises
3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
4He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.
5Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.
6The LORD sustains the humble, but casts the wicked to the ground. 7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isaiah 40:28 | Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. |
| 2 | Psalms 139:17–18 | How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; and when I awake, I am still with You. |
| 3 | Psalms 96:4 | For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. |
| 4 | Romans 11:33 | O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! |
| 5 | Psalms 40:5 | Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count. |
| 6 | Nahum 1:3 | The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. |
| 7 | Psalms 48:1 | Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 10:6 | There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 32:17–19 | “Oh, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You! You show loving devotion to thousands but lay the iniquity of the fathers into the laps of their children after them, O great and mighty God whose name is the LORD of Hosts, the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 16:25 | For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. |
Psalms 147:5 Summary
[This verse tells us that our Lord is great and has amazing power, and that His understanding is limitless, meaning He knows everything and has complete wisdom. This is comforting because it means we can trust Him with our lives, just like Psalm 55:22 says, 'Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you.' It also reminds us that God is not limited by what we think is possible, as seen in Jeremiah 32:17, which says, 'Ah, Lord God! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You.']
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God's understanding has no limit?
This means that God's knowledge and wisdom are infinite and beyond human comprehension, as also seen in Psalm 139:6 and Romans 11:33, which describe the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge.
How can we relate to a God who is so mighty in power?
Although God is mighty in power, He is also our Lord who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, as seen in Psalm 147:3, showing His care and compassion for His people.
What does it mean that our Lord is great?
This phrase emphasizes God's majesty and greatness, which is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, such as in Psalm 48:1 and Isaiah 40:28, highlighting His sovereign power and authority.
How can we respond to God's greatness and mighty power?
We can respond by singing to the Lord with thanksgiving, as encouraged in Psalm 147:7, and by humbly acknowledging His power and wisdom, as seen in Psalm 95:6-7, which calls us to worship and bow down to Him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can acknowledge and honor God's greatness and mighty power in my daily life?
- How does the fact that God's understanding has no limit impact my trust in Him and His plans for my life?
- In what ways can I reflect on God's infinite wisdom and knowledge, as described in this verse, to deepen my understanding of His character?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to remember that God is mighty in power and able to help me, and how can I apply this truth to those situations?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 147:5
Great [is] our Lord, and of great power,.... "Our Lord" is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of the whole earth; the Lord of his own people by creation, by redemption, by marriage, and by the conquest
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 147:5
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
Psalms 147:5 Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.Ver. 5. His understanding is infinite] Heb. of his understanding there is no number; for he knows not only the kinds and sorts of things, but even the particulars, though they exceed all number. Sic spectat universos quasi singulos; sic singulos, quasi solos. That philosopher did not say nothing, who, being in danger of shipwreck in a light starry night, said, Surely I shall not perish, there are so many eyes of providence over me.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
(5) Of great power.—Literally, abounding in power.Infinite.—Literally, without number. (See Note, Psalms 145:3, and Isaiah 40:28; that prophetic passage being still in the poet’s mind, though the expression is changed.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 147:5
Verse 5. His understanding is infinite.] To his intelligence there is no number: though he numbers the stars, his understanding is without number. It is infinite; therefore, he can know, as he can do, all things.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 147:5
5. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power] The language is borrowed from Isaiah 40:26. his understanding is infinite] Lit. to his understanding there is no number, it is incalculable. Number is substituted for searching of Isa 40:28, perhaps to suggest a contrast to Psalms 147:5. He numbers the stars: His wisdom cannot be numbered. The Heb. of Sir 39:20 “Is there any number [i.e. limit] to his salvation” [or according to Schechter’s conjecture, understanding] may be borrowed from this passage.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 147:5
Great is our Lord - See the notes at Psalms 48:1. And of great power - This seems to be added, as in Isaiah 40:28, in view of the power required in making the heavens, and in guiding and numbering the stars: “Hast thou not known?
Sermons on Psalms 147:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Attributes of God (Series 2): The Omniscience of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a cracked piece of glass being transformed into a beautiful piece of art to illustrate how God can turn our brokenness into somethi |
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The Supremacy of Christ by John Piper | This sermon emphasizes the supremacy of Jesus Christ in His eternality, constancy, knowledge, wisdom, authority, providence, power, purity, trustworthiness, justice, patience, obed |
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The Impossibility of the Christian Life, Part 3 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of relying on Christ and not being independent from Him. He highlights the repetition of the word "cannot" in verses 4 and 5 |
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The Greatness of God by Joy Dawson | Joy Dawson emphasizes the greatness of God, sharing her personal experiences that affirm God's supremacy over all aspects of life, including our understanding, problems, and even o |
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The Attributes of God by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the attributes of God, focusing on His omnipresence, immutability, eternity, and wisdom. He highlights God's infinite presence in all places at once, H |
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Third Letter by Brother Lawrence | Brother Lawrence encourages his soldier friend to trust in God's infinite grace and provision, reminding him to hope in God, thank Him for His favors, and find comfort and strength |
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Faith by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of repentance as the first step in the foundation of the Christian life, followed by faith in God. Having faith in God involves trusting Him an |