Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewho covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. 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 VersionWho 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 BibleWho 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 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 BibleWho 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 1917Who 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: Jump to Previous Causing Clouds Covered Covereth Covering Covers Earth Grass Grow Hand Heaven Heavens Hills Makes Maketh Mountains Prepares Prepareth Preparing Provides Rain Sky Spring SuppliesJump to Next Causing Clouds Covered Covereth Covering Covers Earth Grass Grow Hand Heaven Heavens Hills Makes Maketh Mountains Prepares Prepareth Preparing Provides Rain Sky Spring SuppliesPsalm 147 1. The prophet exhorts to praise God for his care of the church4. 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 who covers the sky with clouds This phrase highlights God's sovereignty over creation, emphasizing His control over the natural world. In biblical times, clouds were often seen as a sign of God's presence and power, as seen in Exodus 13:21, where God led the Israelites with a pillar of cloud. The imagery of clouds also connects to God's provision and protection, as clouds bring rain, which is essential for life. In Job 37:11-16, clouds are described as part of God's wondrous works, demonstrating His wisdom and understanding. The covering of the sky with clouds can also symbolize God's majesty and the mystery of His ways, as clouds often obscure the heavens, reminding us of the limits of human understanding. who prepares rain for the earth who makes grass to grow on the hills Persons / Places / Events 1. God (He)The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as the Creator and Sustainer of the natural world. 2. Sky/Heavens The expanse above the earth, which God covers with clouds, demonstrating His control over the weather. 3. Earth The recipient of God's provision through rain, symbolizing His care for creation. 4. Hills Elevated areas of land where God causes grass to grow, illustrating His nurturing power. 5. Rain A vital element for life, prepared by God to sustain the earth and its inhabitants. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NatureGod is in control of the natural world, orchestrating the weather and seasons according to His will. God's Provision and Care The rain and growth of grass are tangible expressions of God's provision, reminding us of His care for all creation. Dependence on God Just as the earth relies on rain, we are dependent on God for our spiritual and physical sustenance. God's Faithfulness The regularity of rain and growth reflects God's faithfulness in providing for His creation, encouraging us to trust in His promises. Stewardship of Creation Recognizing God's role in sustaining the earth calls us to be responsible stewards of the environment He has entrusted to us. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 147:8?2. How does Psalm 147:8 inspire gratitude for God's provision in nature? 3. What does "covers the sky with clouds" reveal about God's control over creation? 4. How does Genesis 1 relate to God's creative power in Psalm 147:8? 5. How can we trust God's provision in our daily lives, as in Psalm 147:8? 6. In what ways can we praise God for His care, as seen in Psalm 147:8? 7. How does Psalm 147:8 reflect God's control over nature and weather? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 147:8? 9. How does Psalm 147:8 align with scientific understanding of weather patterns? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 147? 11. In Job 36:27–28, which describes God’s hand in the water cycle, are there scientific inconsistencies in attributing weather events solely to divine intervention? 12. Isaiah 5:5–6: Does the claim that God can command clouds not to rain conflict with modern scientific understanding of weather? 13. How can Deuteronomy 11:14’s promise of divine control over rainfall be reconciled with modern meteorological science? 14. In Job 5:10, how does asserting divine control over rain and crops stand against established meteorological science? What Does Psalm 147:8 Mean Who covers the sky with cloudsGod personally clothes the heavens with vaporous blankets. In Job 37:15–16 He asks Job if he understands “how God lays His command upon the clouds,” underscoring that their formation is not random but responsive to His will. The cloud-covered sky preaches His nearness: Exodus 13:21 pictures the Lord guiding Israel in a pillar of cloud, and Nahum 1:3 says “the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Every overcast morning becomes a reminder that the Creator is active, present, and in full control of His creation. • Clouds moderate the blazing sun, illustrating His protective care (Psalm 121:5–6). • Their ever-changing shapes demonstrate His creative artistry (Psalm 19:1). • Because He “covers” the sky, nothing escapes His oversight, offering comfort when life feels unsettled. Who prepares rain for the earth Rain is not a mere meteorological accident; it is lovingly “prepared.” Jeremiah 14:22 asks, “Are there any among the idols of the nations that can bring rain?”—the answer is a resounding no. Acts 14:17 declares that God “gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons,” linking rainfall to His goodness toward all people. • The timing: Deuteronomy 11:14 promises “the early and late rains” so crops can flourish, showing His precise scheduling. • The purpose: Isaiah 55:10-11 compares rain watering the earth to His Word accomplishing what He pleases; physical rain becomes a sermon about the reliability of His promises. • The generosity: Matthew 5:45 notes He “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” revealing His common grace even to those who ignore Him. Who makes grass to grow on the hills Grassy hillsides proclaim God’s sustaining power right down to individual blades. Psalm 104:14 echoes the same truth: “He makes grass grow for the livestock.” In a rocky ancient landscape, hillside grass meant life for sheep and goats, and therefore provision for shepherds and families. • Provision for creatures: Psalm 145:15-16 says every living thing “waits” for Him to give food at the proper time; the grass is one evidence of His response. • Beauty and rest: Mark 6:39 depicts Jesus seating the crowd “on the green grass,” turning a bare hillside into a banquet hall; what He grows becomes a place of ministry and restoration. • Dependence: James 1:11 reminds us the grass withers quickly under scorching sun, so the ongoing growth is a daily testimony that we rely on Him moment by moment. summary Psalm 147:8 invites us to look up, look around, and look down. The clouds overhead, the rain that falls, and the grass underfoot are all handcrafted by the Lord. Each element showcases His sovereignty, care, and generosity. Clouds reveal His protective presence, rain His purposeful provision, and grass His sustaining mercy. Every cycle of weather and growth is a call to trust the One who commands the skies, waters the earth, and feeds every creature—including us. 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 coversהַֽמְכַסֶּ֬ה (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 Links Psalm 147:8 NIVPsalm 147:8 NLT Psalm 147:8 ESV Psalm 147:8 NASB Psalm 147:8 KJV Psalm 147:8 BibleApps.com Psalm 147:8 Biblia Paralela Psalm 147:8 Chinese Bible Psalm 147:8 French Bible Psalm 147:8 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 147:8 Who covers the sky with clouds who (Psalm Ps Psa.) |