Psalms 147:16-18 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

He giveth snow like wool Not only in colour, and shape, and softness, and its falling silently like a lock of wool; but in its covering the earth and keeping it warm, and so promoting its fruitfulness. He scattereth the hoar-frost Which is dew congealed, as the snow and hail are rain congealed; like ashes Which it resembles in colour and smallness of parts, and has the appearance of ashes scattered upon the grass. Sometimes also it is prejudicial to the products of the earth, and blasts them, as if it were hot ashes. He casteth forth his ice Great hailstones, which are of an icy nature, and which are very properly said to be cast forth, or cast down, out of the clouds, and that like morsels or fragments, the particles being congealed in them. Who can stand before his cold? The cold which he sometimes sends into the air is so sharp and piercing that it would be intolerable if men did not defend themselves from it by houses, clothes, furs, fires, &c. He sendeth out his word and melteth them To prevent the hurt that might ensue by the continuance of the snow, frost, and cold, he issues forth another command, which as suddenly (see Psa 147:15) makes a thaw. He causeth his wind to blow The southern, or some other warm wind, sent with commission to dissolve the frost and melt the snow; and the waters flow The waters, which were bound up, are loosened, and made to flow again, and the rivers return to their wonted course.