What is the meaning of Psalm 147:9?

He provides food

- The verse opens by putting the spotlight on God as the active Giver: “He provides food” (Psalm 147:9).

- His provision is constant, personal, and generous (Psalm 145:15-16; Matthew 6:11).

- This line reminds us that abundance flows from His character, not from impersonal forces of nature (James 1:17).

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for the animals

- God’s care is not limited to people; every living creature benefits from His hand (Psalm 104:27-28).

- From creation onward, He assigned vegetation “to every beast of the earth” (Genesis 1:30), showing that animals are within His covenant of care.

- His compassion even shaped Jonah’s lesson about Nineveh: “and many cattle as well” (Jonah 4:11).

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and for the young ravens

- Ravens—unclean birds in Israel’s dietary law—illustrate that God’s kindness reaches the overlooked and undervalued (Leviticus 11:15; Job 38:41).

- Jesus echoed this: “Consider the ravens… God feeds them” (Luke 12:24).

- God once used ravens to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4-6), highlighting their surprising role in His provision plan.

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when they call

- The fledgling ravens’ cries are answered, portraying God’s attentiveness (Psalm 34:15).

- He responds the moment need is voiced (Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:11).

- The line invites trust: if He hears the instinctive squawk of a bird, He certainly hears the articulate prayers of His people (Psalm 50:15).

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summary

Psalm 147:9 presents a vivid snapshot of God’s sustaining grace. He personally supplies nourishment, cares for all creatures large and small, singles out even despised ravens, and does so in direct response to their cries. If He is that faithful to the animal kingdom, we can rest assured He will not overlook those who bear His image.