The Meaning of Psalms 147:13 Explained

Psalms 147:13

KJV: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee.

YLT: For He did strengthen the bars of thy gates, He hath blessed thy sons in thy midst.

Darby: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee;

ASV: For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; He hath blessed thy children within thee.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Psalms 147:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 147:12-20 - Peace And Prosperity
From Psalms 147:12 on there is a more personal address to Jerusalem and Zion. The thee and thou justify the application of the psalm to the spiritual condition of the Church and the individual. God's work in nature illustrates His dealings with His children. Are we strengthened against temptation, as a city with bars and bolts, blessed with peace, and filled with the fine flour of gospel truth? It is because He hath so appointed it by His commandment and swiftly-running word. Is it winter, the air full of blinding snowflakes; rime everywhere, as if the frost-king had powdered the earth and bound the waters with His chain? Be of good cheer; God is in it all. Winter is needed to pulverize the soil; but as soon as it has done its necessary work, the warm breath of His manifested love will breathe over desolations, and all the frost and snow will hasten to be gone. Will God give so much thought to garnishing the home in which His children live and neglect them? Besides, He has shown us so many wonderful judgments and such discoveries of His character, that He is pledged to us. Hallelujah! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 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

What do the individual words in Psalms 147:13 mean?

For He has strengthened the bars of your gates He has blessed your children within you
כִּֽי־ חִ֭זַּק בְּרִיחֵ֣י שְׁעָרָ֑יִךְ בֵּרַ֖ךְ בָּנַ֣יִךְ בְּקִרְבֵּֽךְ

חִ֭זַּק  He  has  strengthened 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָזַק  
Sense: to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore.
בְּרִיחֵ֣י  the  bars 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בְּרִיחַ  
Sense: bar.
שְׁעָרָ֑יִךְ  of  your  gates 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person feminine singular
Root: שַׁעַר  
Sense: gate.
בֵּרַ֖ךְ  He  has  blessed 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: בָּרַךְ 
Sense: to bless, kneel.
בָּנַ֣יִךְ  your  children 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, second person feminine singular
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
בְּקִרְבֵּֽךְ  within  you 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person feminine singular
Root: קֶרֶב  
Sense: midst, among, inner part, middle.