Psalm 147:13
New International Version
He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you.

New Living Translation
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your children within your walls.

English Standard Version
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.

Berean Standard Bible
For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you.

King James Bible
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

New King James Version
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you.

New American Standard Bible
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons among you.

NASB 1995
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you.

NASB 1977
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your sons within you.

Legacy Standard Bible
For He strengthened the bars of your gates; He blessed your sons within you.

Amplified Bible
For He has strengthened the bars of your gates, He has blessed your children within you.

Christian Standard Bible
For he strengthens the bars of your city gates and blesses your children within you.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your children within you.

American Standard Version
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

Contemporary English Version
He makes your city gates strong and blesses your people.

English Revised Version
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He makes the bars across your gates strong. He blesses the children within you.

Good News Translation
He keeps your gates strong; he blesses your people.

International Standard Version
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessing your children within you.

Majority Standard Bible
For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you.

NET Bible
For he makes the bars of your gates strong. He blesses your children within you.

New Heart English Bible
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.

Webster's Bible Translation
For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

World English Bible
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For He strengthened the bars of your gates, "" He has blessed your sons in your midst.

Young's Literal Translation
For He did strengthen the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons in thy midst.

Smith's Literal Translation
For he strengthened the bars of thy gates; he blessed thy sons within thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates, he hath blessed thy children within thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For he has reinforced the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you.

New American Bible
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates, blessed your children within you.

New Revised Standard Version
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because he has strengthened the bars of your gates and blessed your sons within you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For He hath made strong the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For he has strengthened the bars of thy gates; he has blessed thy children within thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
It is Good to Sing Praises
12Exalt the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion! 13For He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses the children within you. 14He makes peace at your borders; He fills you with the finest wheat.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 7:3
And I told them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the guards are on duty, keep the doors shut and securely fastened. And appoint the residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some at their own homes.”

Isaiah 60:18
No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders. But you will name your walls Salvation and your gates Praise.

Zechariah 2:5
For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory within it.’”

Isaiah 26:1
In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; salvation is established as its walls and ramparts.

Isaiah 62:6
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,

Jeremiah 30:19
Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled.

Jeremiah 31:23
This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “When I restore them from captivity, they will once again speak this word in the land of Judah and in its cities: ‘May the LORD bless you, O righteous dwelling place, O holy mountain.’

Ezekiel 48:35
The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

1 Kings 8:13
I have indeed built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”

2 Chronicles 6:2
But I have built You an exalted house, a place for You to dwell forever.”

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

Luke 13:34
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!

John 10:28-29
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. / My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

John 17:11
I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.


Treasury of Scripture

For he has strengthened the bars of your gates; he has blessed your children within you.

he hath

Psalm 48:11-14
Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments…

Psalm 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 125:2
As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.

blessed

Psalm 115:14,15
The LORD shall increase you more and more, you and your children…

Psalm 128:3-6
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table…

Psalm 144:12
That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:

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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














For He strengthens
The phrase "For He strengthens" emphasizes God's active role in fortifying and empowering His people. The Hebrew root for "strengthens" is "חָזַק" (chazaq), which conveys the idea of making strong, firm, or secure. This word is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's intervention in providing strength and stability. Historically, the strengthening of city gates was crucial for protection against enemies, symbolizing God's provision of security and defense for His people. In a spiritual sense, this reflects God's ability to fortify our lives against spiritual adversities, ensuring that we are equipped to withstand challenges.

the bars of your gates
The "bars of your gates" refers to the physical and metaphorical protection of a city. In ancient times, city gates were vital for defense, commerce, and community life. The Hebrew word for "bars" is "בְּרִיחַ" (bariyach), which denotes the crossbars that secure a gate. This imagery highlights God's role as a protector who ensures the safety and integrity of His people. Spiritually, it suggests that God fortifies the boundaries of our lives, providing security and peace. The gates also symbolize the entry points of our hearts and minds, which God strengthens to guard against harmful influences.

and blesses
The word "blesses" comes from the Hebrew "בָּרַךְ" (barak), meaning to kneel, to bless, or to praise. This term is rich with connotations of divine favor and prosperity. God's blessing is not merely material but encompasses spiritual well-being and fulfillment. In the biblical context, blessings are often associated with covenantal promises, where God commits to the welfare of His people. This phrase assures believers of God's ongoing commitment to their prosperity and spiritual growth, reflecting His generous and loving nature.

the children within you
"The children within you" refers to the inhabitants or descendants of the community. The Hebrew word "בָּנִים" (banim) means sons or children, indicating the next generation. This phrase underscores the importance of God's blessing extending to future generations, ensuring continuity and legacy. In a historical context, the well-being of children was crucial for the survival and prosperity of a community. Spiritually, it signifies God's promise to nurture and sustain His people, ensuring that His covenantal blessings are passed down. This assurance of divine favor for the children within the community reflects God's enduring faithfulness and the hope for a thriving future.

(13) For he hath strengthened.--An allusion to the new fortifications of the restored city is probable, though the expression is plainly figurative of security and peace.

With the second clause comp. Isaiah 60:17-18.

Verse 13. - For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates. The strength of gates in the ancient world depended wholly upon their bars, which were generally strong beams of wood passed across from side to side of the gateway, about midway up the gate, having their ends inserted into strong iron hooks or clamps, which were let into the stonework of the walls. The "bars" of the gates of Jerusalem are mentioned in Nehemiah repeatedly (Psalm 3:3, 6, 13, 14, 15; 7:3). He hath blessed thy children within thee. Under Nehemiah's govern-meet, when he had firmly established it, Israel enjoyed a period of repose and of great prosperity, which, at the date of the psalm, was probably just commencing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He strengthens
חִ֭זַּק (ḥiz·zaq)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer

the bars
בְּרִיחֵ֣י (bə·rî·ḥê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1280: A bolt

of your gates
שְׁעָרָ֑יִךְ (šə·‘ā·rā·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

and blesses
בֵּרַ֖ךְ (bê·raḵ)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse

the children
בָּנַ֣יִךְ (bā·na·yiḵ)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

within you.
בְּקִרְבֵּֽךְ׃ (bə·qir·bêḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center


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OT Poetry: Psalm 147:13 For he has strengthened the bars (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 147:12
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