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Psalm 104

This is purely a song of praise to God as Creator.  In this psalm the worship leader has no other purpose than to lead the people to consider slowly, one by one, all the wonderful works of creation and to see in them the infinite wisdom of the Creator.

Before dealing with the works of creation, though, the song begins with a veritable trumpet-blast statement of the glory of the Creator Himself. All the people repeat the leader's words when he sings that God "is clothed in honor and majesty" and covers Himself with light as with a garment." They're just saying that He is the great and glorious Creator, the One Who stretches out the expanse of the heavens far beyond our ability to comprehend their extent.  The rolling clouds are like His awesome chariot, and He "walks on the wings of the wind" - in other words, though He is invisible, yet He deals swiftly and decisively with all things in His created universe. 

The song continues, then, in vivid similes – though even vividly painted similes can only begin to hint at the greatness of the majesty of the living Creator.  In hushed tones, as it were, the song mentions even the mighty spirits – the angels - who are His messengers to accomplish all His designs.

Then, after touching upon the inexpressible glory of the Creator Himself, in great awe the psalmist sings of the works this glorious God has accomplished.  He sings of the founding and suspension of the earth in space in such perfect balance that it is not moved out of its place (its orbit).  Then he goes on to sing of the myriad details which were accomplished in that wonderful creation - about the earth's original covering in water, which was then rolled back to the places intended and made to produce springs and streams to water the earth and refresh the living things that were to come. He sings also of the refreshing rains that bring fruitfulness everywhere.  In sheer wonderment he sings of the grass for the cattle and of the other growing things that provide good food and wine that bring man joy.  He sings about majestic trees, birds and other animals, about the moon, the sun, and the darkness for man's rest and for a feeding time for many of the animals. 

Consideration of all these wonderful things fills the singer with wonder and praise to the Lord Who did it all.  Resultingly, with all his might he sings and all the people repeat, "O Lord, how manifold are Your works!  In wisdom You have made them all!"

Then He remembers that all the creatures God has made remain entirely dependent upon Him at all times.  With this thought he cannot forbear to sing, not only of the wondrous creation, but also of God's wonderful providence since the beginning.  He says, "These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season.  What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good.  You hide Your face, they are troubled; You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.  You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth."

The heart of the psalmist is so filled with joy to know this creating and sustaining God that he just has to sing mightily, "May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works . . . I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being!  May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord!"

About the careless or unbelieving, though, he has to sing in a more minor key. About them he has to say,"May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked be no more!"  Then, finally, and from his innermost being explode as it were these words: "Bless the Lord, O my soul!" And with this he turns to the people and joyfully exhorts them also to "Praise the Lord!" 

It's an exhortation to which we ourselves should respond.  Let us – often – praise our God for His wonderful creating and sustaining works.

I enjoyed reading Psalm 104 today in my home here.

I also watched a video put out by Moody Science Institute entitled "The Wonders of Creation".  This Psalm seems to just fit in so well after viewing the video.

Several points stood out in my thinking.  I was impressed by the command in the first verse that we are to "Bless the Lord".

When you consider the earth as a small significant round rock in the vast solar system and man being so insignificant on this piece of rock and yet it was for me and for you, the reader, that God sent His only Son to die for you and for me! 

What a wonderful God we have!  I was impressed too that in verse 5 we learn that He has sovereign control of the deep.  I feel that because of man's sin we have these tsunami's that kill.  Or do you believe that God created them to kill?

It's wonderful to know too that God arranged the night and day for life for His purposes (verse 19)

As the Psalmist rejoices and praises God so should we be doing this constantly.









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If all things are under the detailed and perfect control of the sovereign God, then tsunamis must be included.  And what is true of the over-all event must also be true of every detail - timing, location, specific persons and properties  - everything.  But let us not judge God!  He sees the end from the beginning.  He sees every wave of every blade of grass as it blows in the wind, and He has an infinite and perfect purpose for it all!  His forsight, hindsight, and infinitely detailed purpose control every earthly event. 

I don't know how His justice rules in the death of many, many babies, young people, old people, along with the seemingly useless destruction of so much property - but I know it does rule.  Thankfully, He is responsible, not I.  Only I rejoice that He has revealed Himself to us sufficiently for us to know that He is yet just, righteous, loving, and holy.  As said one, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."  Oh let God be God and men be but men.  Oh trust Him in His infinite perfections to know what He is doing!  As the Scripture says, "He does all things well."

One thing we do know - ALL of the human race is in rebellion against Him, and the entire race, not merely a part of it, is therefore deserving of instant and horrible destruction at every moment.  "It is of His mercies that we are not consumed!"

Thanks Al!

I knew you'd have a good reply to me.

You're welcome, Pat.  It's a tough reply, but, hopefully, it's all true.  May He be glorified.