Psalms 147:9
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.
Original Language Analysis
נוֹתֵ֣ן
He giveth
H5414
נוֹתֵ֣ן
He giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִבְהֵמָ֣ה
to the beast
H929
לִבְהֵמָ֣ה
to the beast
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
2 of 7
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
לַחְמָ֑הּ
his food
H3899
לַחְמָ֑הּ
his food
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
3 of 7
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
לִבְנֵ֥י
and to the young
H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י
and to the young
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
4 of 7
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Job 38:41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.Matthew 6:26Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?Psalms 136:25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.Luke 12:24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Historical Context
Ancient Israelites lived in close connection with the natural world, observing animal behavior daily. Ravens are resourceful scavengers, yet even they depend on God's provision through the food chain He established. The mention of ravens may also allude to Elijah's experience, when ravens miraculously fed the prophet during drought (1 Kings 17:4-6)—a historical demonstration that God commands even wild creatures to accomplish His purposes.
Questions for Reflection
- If God feeds even 'unclean' ravens, what does this teach about His grace toward those deemed unworthy by religious standards?
- How should the reality of God's care for all creation shape Christian environmental stewardship?
- What 'crying out' in your life might God already be answering, even if you haven't recognized His provision?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. The scope of divine providence extends beyond humanity to include all creatures. The Hebrew noten livhemah lachmah (נוֹתֵן לִבְהֵמָה לַחְמָהּ) emphasizes God's active giving (noten) of sustenance to animals. The term behemah generally refers to cattle and domestic animals, while the specific mention of "young ravens" (livnei orev, לִבְנֵי עֹרֵב) includes wild creatures.
Ravens were considered unclean birds in Levitical law (Leviticus 11:15), yet God feeds them when "they cry" (yiqra'u, יִקְרָאוּ). Job 38:41 asks, "Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God." The image is of fledgling ravens calling out in hunger, and God responding with provision. Jesus echoed this in His teaching: "Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap... and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?" (Luke 12:24).
This verse demolishes any notion of divine indifference to creation. If God attends to the cries of raven chicks, how much more will He hear the prayers of His covenant children? It also challenges human arrogance—we are not the sole focus of God's care, but part of a creation-wide network of divine provision. Ecology becomes theology: caring for creation reflects God's own sustaining work.