PSALM 104
. 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.
2. light—is a figurative
representation of the glory of the invisible God (Matthew 17:2;
1 Timothy 6:16). Its use in this
connection may refer to the first work of creation (1 Timothy 6:16).
stretchest out the
heavens—the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a
curtain (Isaiah 40:12).
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 Psalms 18:10; Psalms 18:11;
Amos 9:6).
4. This is quoted by Paul () to denote the subordinate position of angels; that is, they
are only messengers as other and material agencies.
spirits—literally,
"winds."
flaming fire— () being here so called.
5. The earth is firmly fixed by
His power.
6-9. These verses rather
describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Genesis 7:19;
Genesis 7:20; 2 Peter 3:5;
2 Peter 3:6). God's method of
arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically
called a "rebuke" (Psalms 76:6;
Isaiah 50:2), and the process of the
flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is
vividly described.
10-13. Once destructive, these
waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and
dew from His chambers (compare ), 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,
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 ).
16-19. God's care of even wild
animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
20-23. He provides and adapts to
man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
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
26. leviathan— () heightens the estimate of the sea's greatness, and of His
power who gives such a place for sport to one of His creatures.
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 (). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It
is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and
disease.
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
(Psalms 147:1).
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.
PSALM 104
. 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.
2. light—is a figurative representation of the glory of the invisible God (Matthew 17:2; 1 Timothy 6:16). Its use in this connection may refer to the first work of creation (1 Timothy 6:16).
stretchest out the heavens—the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a curtain (Isaiah 40:12).
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 Psalms 18:10; Psalms 18:11; Amos 9:6).
4. This is quoted by Paul () to denote the subordinate position of angels; that is, they are only messengers as other and material agencies.
spirits—literally, "winds."
flaming fire— () being here so called.
5. The earth is firmly fixed by His power.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Genesis 7:19; Genesis 7:20; 2 Peter 3:5; 2 Peter 3:6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Psalms 76:6; Isaiah 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare ), 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,
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 ).
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
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
26. leviathan— () heightens the estimate of the sea's greatness, and of His power who gives such a place for sport to one of His creatures.
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 (). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
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 (Psalms 147:1).
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.