Psalm 147:8
New International Version
He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.

New Living Translation
He covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.

English Standard Version
He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.

Berean Standard Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills.

King James Bible
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

New King James Version
Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

New American Standard Bible
It is He who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass sprout on the mountains.

NASB 1995
Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

NASB 1977
Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

Legacy Standard Bible
He is the One who covers the heavens with clouds, The One who provides rain for the earth, The One who makes grass to sprout on the mountains,

Amplified Bible
Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass grow on the mountains.

Christian Standard Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and causes grass to grow on the hills.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, and causes grass to grow on the hills.

American Standard Version
Who covereth the heavens with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

Contemporary English Version
He fills the sky with clouds and sends rain to the earth, so that the hills will be green with grass.

English Revised Version
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He covers the sky with clouds. He provides rain for the ground. He makes grass grow on the mountains.

Good News Translation
He spreads clouds over the sky; he provides rain for the earth and makes grass grow on the hills.

International Standard Version
He shields the heavens with clouds, preparing rain for the earth and making grass grow on the hills.

Majority Standard Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills.

NET Bible
He covers the sky with clouds, provides the earth with rain, and causes grass to grow on the hillsides.

New Heart English Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

World English Bible
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass grow on the mountains.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who is covering the heavens with clouds, "" Who is preparing rain for the earth, "" Who is causing grass to spring up [on] mountains,

Young's Literal Translation
Who is covering the heavens with clouds, Who is preparing for the earth rain, Who is causing grass to spring up on mountains,

Smith's Literal Translation
Covering the heavens with clouds, preparing rain for the earth, causing the grass to spring up on the mountains.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, and prepareth rain for the earth. Who maketh grass to grow on the mountains, and herbs for the service of men.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He covers heaven with clouds, and he prepares rain for the earth. He produces grass on the mountains and herbs for the service of men.

New American Bible
Who covers the heavens with clouds, provides rain for the earth, makes grass sprout on the mountains,

New Revised Standard Version
He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who covers the heavens with clouds, who gives rain upon the earth, who makes grass to grow upon the mountains.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who hides Heaven with clouds; he gives rain upon the Earth and he makes the grass sprout upon the mountains.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, Who prepareth rain for the earth, Who maketh the mountains to spring with grass.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who causes grass to spring up on the mountains, and green herb for the service of men;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
It is Good to Sing Praises
7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make music on the harp to our God, 8who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. 9He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.…

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

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.”

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,

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.

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.

Job 38:26-28
to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, / to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass? / Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew?

James 5:17-18
Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Deuteronomy 11:14
then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.

Hosea 2:21-22
“On that day I will respond—” declares the LORD—“I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the earth. / And the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel.

Zechariah 10:1
Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.

1 Kings 18:41-45
And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” / So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the summit of Carmel, bent down on the ground, and put his face between his knees. / “Go and look toward the sea,” he said to his servant. So the servant went and looked, and he said, “There is nothing there.” Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” ...

Joel 2:23
Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

Psalm 104:13-14
He waters the mountains from His chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His works. / He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:

Isaiah 30:23
Then He will send rain for the seed that you have sown in the ground, and the food that comes from your land will be rich and plentiful. On that day your cattle will graze in open pastures.

Jeremiah 5:24
They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’


Treasury of Scripture

Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

covereth

Psalm 135:1
Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

Genesis 9:14
And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:

1 Kings 18:44,45
And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not…

prepareth

Psalm 65:9-13
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it…

Psalm 104:13,14
He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works…

Job 5:10
Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

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Causing Clouds Covered Covereth Covering Covers Earth Grass Grow Hand Heaven Heavens Hills Makes Maketh Mountains Prepares Prepareth Preparing Provides Rain Sky Spring Supplies
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Causing Clouds Covered Covereth Covering Covers Earth Grass Grow Hand Heaven Heavens Hills Makes Maketh Mountains Prepares Prepareth Preparing Provides Rain Sky Spring Supplies
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 covers the sky with clouds
The Hebrew word for "covers" is "kasah," which conveys the idea of a protective or concealing action. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clouds were often seen as a divine veil, symbolizing God's presence and majesty. The act of covering the sky with clouds demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation, as He orchestrates the natural elements. This imagery reminds us of God's intimate involvement in the world, providing shade and protection, much like a shepherd caring for his flock.

He prepares rain for the earth
The word "prepares" comes from the Hebrew "kun," meaning to establish or make ready. This preparation signifies intentionality and care, highlighting God's providence. Rain, in biblical times, was a crucial blessing, essential for agriculture and survival. In a historical context, rain was often seen as a direct blessing from God, contrasting with the arid conditions of the surrounding regions. This phrase underscores God's role as the sustainer of life, providing what is necessary for the earth to flourish.

He makes grass grow on the hills
The Hebrew verb "tsamach" for "makes grow" indicates a process of sprouting or flourishing. Grass, a symbol of sustenance and provision, represents God's nurturing power. The mention of "hills" is significant, as these elevated areas were often less fertile and more challenging for agriculture. By causing grass to grow even on the hills, the verse emphasizes God's ability to bring life and abundance to the most unlikely places. This serves as a metaphor for spiritual growth and renewal, illustrating that God's grace can reach and transform even the most barren aspects of our lives.

Verse 8. - Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth. In the parched and sultry East "clouds" and "rain" are a boon that we of the temperate West can scarcely appreciate. The cruel heat of the solar rays in a clear sky for weeks or months together causes a longing of the intensest kind for shade and moisture. Man and beast alike rejoice when the time of the autumn rains draws near, and the cloudless blue of the summer heaven gives place (of a sky that is gray and overcast (comp. Job 38:25-41; Psalm 104:13). Who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. The "mountains," and even the plains of Palestine, are, with rare exceptions, completely burnt up at the close of summer, and show no verdure, but merely an arid sapless, brown or buff vegetation. When the" former rain" begins, a great change begins. Tender green blades of grass at once sprout up, and in a little time the whole country shows a tinge of verdure.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
who covers
הַֽמְכַסֶּ֬ה (ham·ḵas·seh)
Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

the sky
שָׁמַ֨יִם ׀ (šā·ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

with clouds,
בְּעָבִ֗ים (bə·‘ā·ḇîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural
Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse

who prepares
הַמֵּכִ֣ין (ham·mê·ḵîn)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

rain
מָטָ֑ר (mā·ṭār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4306: Rain

for the earth,
לָאָ֣רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

who makes grass
חָצִֽיר׃ (ḥā·ṣîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2682: Green grass, herbage

to grow
הַמַּצְמִ֖יחַ (ham·maṣ·mî·aḥ)
Article | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6779: To sprout, spring up

on the hills.
הָרִ֣ים (hā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country


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OT Poetry: Psalm 147:8 Who covers the sky with clouds who (Psalm Ps Psa.)
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