Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 104

I am personally convinced that one of the problems with people today is that they spend far too much time indoors. The various forms of entertainment, such as television and video games, combined with the ability to live in ideal climate controlled homes, keep people inside. As one who struggles with depression, I find being outside, where I can see, feel, and touch the natural world that God has created, always lifts my spirits. Psalm 104 is a wonderful view of God as reflected in the creation. It is a psalm of creation that follows along with Genesis in its truth.

First, a picture of God.

Psalm 104:1-2
Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

As a Christian, we should seek to know God. Not just know of Him, but actually learn as much about Him as our human mind can grasp. This is theology and Christians must all be theologians. Creation is a wonderful place to study Him, for in the creation we learn who He is and then as we read His Word, we see how it all fits.

Psalm 104:5
He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.

Think about this. The earth stays in place with no physical attachment to it. Try that at home. The laws of gravity are God’s laws. All the laws of physics are from God. What a powerful God we serve.

Psalm 104:6-9
You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.  At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.  The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.  You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.

God controls the waters. He flooded the earth back in the day of Noah and He still controls the waters today.

Psalm 104:10-13
You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;  they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.  Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.  From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

Everything in creation is fed and taken care of by God. It is the fruit of His work.

Psalm 104:14-15
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth  and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.

Again, we see it; God makes the springs gush forth and He causes the grass to grow. God is sovereign over all creation.

Psalm 104:19-23
He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting.  You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.  The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God.  When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.  Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.

The entire world is dependent on Him. Both man and beast.

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

Psalm 104:27-30
These all look to you, to give them their food in due season.  When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.  When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.  When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.

Man can deny God’s existence all he wants. It does not change the facts. Our lives are in His hands. He gives us our breath and He takes it away. Life and death are His to control.

Psalm 104:31-35
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,  who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!  I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.  May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.  Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Take time this morning to read through Psalm 104. Then find some time to get out and observe the creation. Then fall to your knees in worship and praise as you the Glory of God. Sing praise to Him. Our lives are in His hands and His hands are powerful hands.

Praise God.