Psalms 104
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1Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
PSALM 104
Psa 104:1-35. The Psalmist celebrates God's glory in His works of creation and providence, teaching the dependence of all living creatures; and contrasting the happiness of those who praise Him with the awful end of the wicked.
1. God's essential glory, and also that displayed by His mighty works, afford ground for praise.
2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
2. light--is a figurative representation of the glory of the invisible God (Mt 17:2; 1Ti 6:16). Its use in this connection may refer to the first work of creation (Ge 1:3).
stretchest out the heavens--the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a curtain (Is 40:12).
3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
3. in the waters--or, it may be "with"; using this fluid for the beams, or frames, of His residence accords with the figure of clouds for chariots, and wind as a means of conveyance.
walketh--or, "moveth" (compare Psa 18:10, 11; Am 9:6).
4Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
4. This is quoted by Paul (He 1:7) to denote the subordinate position of angels; that is, they are only messengers as other and material agencies.
spirits--literally, "winds."
flaming fire--(Psa 105:32) being here so called.
5Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
5. The earth is firmly fixed by His power.
6Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Ge 7:19, 20; 2Pe 3:5, 6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Psa 76:6; Is 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
7At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Ge 7:19, 20; 2Pe 3:5, 6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Psa 76:6; Is 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
8They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Ge 7:19, 20; 2Pe 3:5, 6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Psa 76:6; Is 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Ge 7:19, 20; 2Pe 3:5, 6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Psa 76:6; Is 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
10He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare Psa 104:3), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
11They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare Psa 104:3), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
12By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare Psa 104:3), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
13He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare Psa 104:3), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
14He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
14-15. so that men and beasts are abundantly provided with food.
for the service--literally, "for the culture," &c., by which he secures the results.
oil ... shine--literally, "makes his face to shine more than oil," that is, so cheers and invigorates him, that outwardly he appears better than if anointed.
strengtheneth ... heart--gives vigor to man (compare Jud 19:5).
15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
14-15. so that men and beasts are abundantly provided with food.
for the service--literally, "for the culture," &c., by which he secures the results.
oil ... shine--literally, "makes his face to shine more than oil," that is, so cheers and invigorates him, that outwardly he appears better than if anointed.
strengtheneth ... heart--gives vigor to man (compare Jud 19:5).
16The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
17Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
18The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
19He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
20Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
21The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
22The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
23Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
24O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
25So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
26There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
27These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
28That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
29Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
30Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Psa 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
31The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
32He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
33I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Psa 147:1).
35Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
35. Those who refuse such a protector and withhold such a service mar the beauty of His works, and must perish from His presence.
Praise ye the Lord--The Psalm closes with an invocation of praise, the translation of a Hebrew phrase, which is used as an English word, "Hallelujah," and may have served the purpose of a chorus, as often in our psalmody, or to give fuller expression to the writer's emotions. It is peculiar to Psalms composed after the captivity, as "Selah" is to those of an earlier date.