18 He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.
18 He sends his word and melts them; he stirs up his breezes, and the waters flow.
18 He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
18 Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter - suddenly it's spring!
18 He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.
18 Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 147:18
Commentary on Psalm 147:12-20
(Read Psalm 147:12-20)
The church, like Jerusalem of old, built up and preserved by the wisdom, power, and goodness of God, is exhorted to praise him for all the benefits and blessings vouchsafed to her; and these are represented by his favours in the course of nature. The thawing word may represent the gospel of Christ, and the thawing wind the Spirit of Christ; for the Spirit is compared to the wind, John 3:8. Converting grace softens the heart that was hard frozen, and melts it into tears of repentance, and makes good reflections to flow, which before were chilled and stopped up. The change which the thaw makes is very evident, yet how it is done no one can say. Such is the change wrought in the conversion of a soul, when God's word and Spirit are sent to melt it and restore it to itself.