Psalms 147:13For he has strengthened the bars of your gates. He has blessed your children within you.
The setting
Jerusalem, Israel. Post-exile period. The psalmist reflects on God's protection of the restored city and its inhabitants...
The emotion here: grateful awe after experiencing divine protection
The original word
chazaq (חזק) — to make strong, fortify, literally 'grip tightly'
Why it matters
City gates were the weakest point in ancient defenses, often reinforced with bronze bars
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 147:13
Gates weren't just defensive — they were where commerce, justice, and community life happened
Common misconceptionThis isn't about physical walls keeping danger out. It's about God strengthening what protects your most precious relationships and calling.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 147:13
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 147:13 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 147:13 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grateful, with a comfort power of 70% and a tone that is celebratory. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine protection, blessing on families. Notable phrases: strengthened the bars of your gates; blessed your children within you.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grateful
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7
“It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'”
— Acts 2:21
“for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
— Ephesians 2:8
“So now it wasn't you who sent me here, but God, and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of all his house, and ruler over all the land o…”
— Genesis 45:8
Your reflection
What does Psalms 147:13 mean to you, today?
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