Psalms 147:5

or Hebrew Psalm cxlvii. Ver. 16. Like wool. Because it is white, and light, and covereth the earth as a fleece, which keeps it warm, and makes it fruitful. On which account also, in the following words, mists (or as it is in the Hebrew, hoar frosts) are compared to ashes, which give a fruitfulness to the ground. (Challoner) --- Trees and fruits are preserved by the snow resting upon them. Vota arborum frugumque....nives....insidere. (Pliny, [Natural History?] xvii. 2.) --- Mists are succeeded by clear weather. By penance and austerity sins are remitted, and devils expelled, Isaias i. 18. (Worthington)