Psalms 104
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
After an exhortation to praise God, addressed especially to the chosen people, the writer presents the special reason for praise, in a summary of their history from the calling of Abraham to their settlement in Canaan, and reminds them that their obedience was the end of all God's gracious dealings. (Psa. 105:1-45) call . . . name-- (Psa 79:6; Rom 10:13). Call on Him, according to His historically manifested glory. After the example of Abraham, who, as often as God acquired for Himself a name in guiding him, called in solemn worship upon the name of the Lord (Gen 12:8; Gen 13:4). among the people--or, "peoples" (Psa 18:49). deeds--or, "wonders" (Psa 103:7).
Open source ↗Bless the Lord, O my soul,.... As for the blessings of grace and mercy expressed in the preceding psalm, so on account of the works of creation and providence, enumerated in this; in which Christ has an equal concern, as in the former. O Lord my God, thou art very great; the Messiah, who is Jehovah our righteousness, Lord of all, truly God, and the God of his people; see Joh 20:28 and who is great, and very great, in his divine Person, being the great God, and our Saviour; great in all his works of creation, providence, and redemption; great in all his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King; a Saviour, and a great one; the great Shepherd of the Sheep; the Man, Jehovah's Fellow. Thou art clothed with honour and majesty; being the brightness of his Father's glory, and having on him the glory of the only begotten of the Father, and a natural majesty in him as the Son of God and King of the whole universe; and, as Mediator, he has honour and majesty laid upon him by his Father, Psa 21:5, he has all the regalia and ensigns of royal majesty; he is on a throne, high and lifted up, even the same with his divine Father; he has a crown of glory on his head, he is crowned with glory and honour; he has a sceptre of righteousness in his hand, and is arrayed in robes of majesty; and, as thus situated, is to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone; or as if he was covered with sparkling gems and precious stones, Rev 4:2 and, having all power in heaven and earth, over angels and men, honour and glory given him by both.
Open source ↗The first decastich begins the celebration with work of the first and second days. הוד והדר here is not the doxa belonging to God πρὸ παντὸς τοῦ αἰῶνος (Jde 1:25), but the doxa which He has put on (Job 40:10) since He created the world, over against which He stands in kingly glory, or rather in which He is immanent, and which reflects this kingly glory in various gradations, yea, to a certain extent is this glory itself. For inasmuch as God began the work of creation with the creation of light, He has covered Himself with this created light itself as with a garment. That which once happened in connection with the creation may, as in Amo 4:13; Isa 44:24; Isa 45:7; Jer 10:12, and frequently, be expressed by participles of the present, because the original setting is continued in the preservation of the world; and determinate participles alternate with participles without the article, as in Isa 44:24-28, with no other difference than that the former are more predicative and the latter more attributive. With Psa 104:2 the poet comes upon the work of the second day: the creation of the expanse (רקיע) which divides between the waters. God has spread this out (cf. Isa 40:22) like a tent-cloth (Isa 54:2), of such light and of such fine transparent work; נוטה here rhymes with עטה. In those waters which the "expanse" holds aloft over the earth God lays the beams of His upper chambers (עליּותתו, instead of which we find מעלותיו in Amo 9:6, from עליּה, ascent, elevation, then an upper story, an upper chamber, which would be more accurately עלּיּה after the Aramaic and Arabic); but not as though the waters were the material for them, they are only the place for them, that is exalted above the earth, and are able to be this because to the Immaterial One even that which is fluid…
Open source ↗When we are addressing ourselves to any religious service we must stir up ourselves to take hold on God in it (Isa 64:7); so David does here. "Come, my soul, where art thou? What art thou thinking of? Here is work to be done, good work, angels' work; set about it in good earnest; let all the powers and faculties be engaged and employed in it: Bless the Lord, O my soul!" In these verses, I. The psalmist looks up to the divine glory shining in the upper world, of which, though it is one of the things not seen, faith is the evidence. With what reverence and holy awe does he begin his meditation with that acknowledgment: O Lord my God! thou art very great! It is the joy of the saints that he who is their God is a great God. The grandeur of the prince is the pride and pleasure of all his good subjects. The majesty of God is here set forth by various instances, alluding to the figure which great princes in their public appearances covet to make. Their equipage, compared with his (even of the eastern kings, who most affected pomp), is but as the light of a glow-worm compared with that of the sun, when he goes forth in his strength. Princes appear great, 1. In their robes; and what are God's robes? Thou art clothed with honour and majesty, Psa 104:1. God is seen in his works, and these proclaim him infinitely wise and good, and all that is great. Thou coverest thyself with light as with a garment, Psa 104:2. God is light (Jo1 1:5), the Father of lights (Jam 1:17); he dwells in light (Ti1 6:16); he clothes himself with it. The residence of his glory is in the highest heaven, that light which was created the first day, Gen 1:3. Of all visible beings light comes nearest to the nature of a spirit, and therefore with that God is pleased to cover himself, that is, to reveal himself u…
Open source ↗Ps 104 This creation hymn (see also Pss 8, 33, 145) exalts God’s goodness and majesty. The psalmist reflects on the present world, the original creation, and a future new creation. He sees both creations as marvelously and wisely made (cp. 139:14), as the work of the Lord’s Spirit (104:30; Gen 1:2; 2 Cor 3:6). 104:1 Let all that I am praise the Lord: Pss 103 and 104 each open and close with this commitment to praise (103:1-2, 22; 104:1, 35). • how great you are! This acclamation expresses praise for rescue (see also 35:27; 40:16; 70:4).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… גָּדַל (gâdal, H1431) — to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor,… לָבַשׁ (lâbash, H3847) — properly, wrap around, i.e. (by implication) to put on agarment or clothe (oneself, or… הוֹד (hôwd, H1935) — grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and appearance) הָדָר (hâdâr, H1926) — magnificence, i.e. ornament or splendor
Open source ↗עָטָה (ʻâṭâh, H5844) — to wrap, i.e. cover, veil, cloth, or roll אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) שַׂלְמָה (salmâh, H8008) — a dress נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous)
Open source ↗קָרָה (qârâh, H7136) — to light upon (chiefly by accident); causatively, to bring about; specifically, to impose… עֲלִיָּה (ʻălîyâh, H5944) — something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof);… מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עָב (ʻâb, H5645) — properly, an envelope, i.e. darkness (or density, 2 Chronicles 4:17); specifically, a… רְכוּב (rᵉkûwb, H7398) — a vehicle (as ridden on) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) כָּנָף (kânâph, H3671) — an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… שָׁרַת (shârath, H8334) — to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to לָהַט (lâhaṭ, H3857) — properly, to lick, i.e. (by implication) to blaze אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗יָסַד (yâçad, H3245) — to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down… מָכוֹן (mâkôwn, H4349) — properly, a fixture, i.e. a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוֹט (môwṭ, H4131) — to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of…
Open source ↗כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the… לְבוּשׁ (lᵉbûwsh, H3830) — a garment (literally or figuratively); by implication (euphemistically) a wife מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗מִן (min, H4480) — properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses גְּעָרָה (gᵉʻârâh, H1606) — a chiding נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound רַעַם (raʻam, H7482) — a peal of thunder חָפַז (châphaz, H2648) — properly, to start up suddenly, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, to fear
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… זֶה (zeh, H2088) — the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that יָסַד (yâçad, H3245) — to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down…
Open source ↗שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מַעְיָן (maʻyân, H4599) — a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction) נַחַל (nachal, H5158) — a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) פֶּרֶא (pereʼ, H6501) — the onager שָׁבַר (shâbar, H7665) — to burst (literally or figuratively) צָמָא (tsâmâʼ, H6772) — thirst (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound בֵּין (bêyn, H996) — between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,… עֳפֶא (ʻŏpheʼ, H6073) — a bough (as covering the tree)
Open source ↗שָׁקָה (shâqâh, H8248) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish apotion to הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) עֲלִיָּה (ʻălîyâh, H5944) — something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof);… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗חָצִיר (châtsîyr, H2682) — grass; also a leek (collectively) צָמַח (tsâmach, H6779) — to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) עֶשֶׂב (ʻeseb, H6212) — grass (or any tender shoot) עֲבֹדָה (ʻăbôdâh, H5656) — work of any kind אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Bless the LORD, all His works in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty fill His sanctuary.
The LORD reigns! He is robed in majesty; the LORD has clothed and armed Himself with strength. The world indeed is firmly established; it cannot be moved.
May sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Hallelujah!
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,
He put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.
“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers,