He counts the number of the stars; He gives names to all of them.
Parallel translations
- WEB He counts the number of the stars. He calls them all by their names.
- KJV He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
- BSB He determines the number of the stars; He calls them each by name.
- ESV He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
- NKJV He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name.
- NLT He counts the stars and calls them all by name.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God counts and names all the stars. His knowledge and power extend over the entire cosmos.
Overview
In the same breath that speaks of healing broken hearts, the psalm marvels that God numbers and names every star. The God of infinite cosmic power is the God who cares for the wounded. This reassures believers that the One who orders the heavens also tends each person.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Isa 40:26Lift up your eyes on high, and see who has created these, who brings out their army by number. He calls them all by name. by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, Not one is lacking.
- Ps 8:3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
- Ps 148:3Praise him, sun and moon! Praise him, all you shining stars!
- Gen 15:5Yahweh brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So will your offspring be.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 147:4 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.