Psalm 147 covers many topics. However, they all seem to fit together in three themes. The overall themes seem to be the Power of God, the Providence of God, and the Preeminence of God. The preeminence of God simply means that God is superior to all others and stands out above them all.
Earlier in the Psalm, the author told about God’s control of the weather. In verses fifteen through eighteen, the author specifically speaks about God bringing the winter. Verses fifteen and sixteen say, “15) He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly. 16) He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.” Most of us have seen snow, but those of us who live in somewhat warmer climates have likely never seen a hoarfrost. According to brittanica.com , “Hoarfrost [is the] deposit of ice crystals on objects exposed to the free air, such as grass blades, tree branches, or leaves. It is formed by direct condensation of water vapour to ice at temperatures below freezing and occurs when air is brought to its frost point by cooling.” A hoarfrost is very beautiful, as you can see from the photos below. (Photos from Pixabay) When winter comes and it gets cold, God is the one that gives the snow and scatters the hoarfrost. He does this simply by speaking a word; He commands and it is done.
What about ice? Ice during the winter can be in the form of freezing rain or sleet. Psalm 147:17 says, “He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold?” Those who live in climates where it is cold enough to snow but where it does not stay that cold for long periods of time have likely seen both ice storms (from freezing rain) and sleet storms. Sleet storms are quite fascinating. The little pellets fall rapidly, sometimes accumulating up to a few inches. Often they melt a little as the day gets warmer and re-freeze into ice overnight. If this accompanies snow or the sleet falls on top of the snow, this can also be very beautiful. (See photos below. First photo is from Pixabay; the other is my own from a winter storm that brought about five inches of a mixture of snow and sleet. This became firm enough overnight to be able to walk on parts of it without sinking.)
While an ice storm can be beautiful, it can also be very destructive. Trees get weighted down and might snap. Transformers on the power lines might blow. It can be an experience to have an ice storm in the night and hear large branches snapping from trees nearby. The Bible says, “who can stand before his cold?” A little frozen water from the sky can be very beautiful, and also very damaging and dangerous. This type of weather shows God’s control over nature and shows mankind that we do not have power like God does and we cannot change anything He chooses to send or its effects.
The cold winter does not last forever; the snow and the ice will have an end. When God is ready, “He sendeth out his word, and melteth them: he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow.” (Psalm 147:18) All God has to do is speak His word, and it is time for winter to be over. The snow and ice will melt. God will blow upon the earth, and the water will run. This water may come from both melted snow and ice and from the spring rains.
We are about to head into a winter. It may be a hard winter for some, a time of coldness and barrenness. The good news is that winter does not last forever. It will only last as long as God says so. Winter has an end. When God is ready, spring will come, and the winds and the rain will chase winter away. The air will begin to warm up, the flowers will bloom again, and the birds will be plentiful and full of happy song. God is the Maker of winter and spring.