Psalms Bible Study: Psalm 104

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Psalm 104 - Creator God

INTRODUCTION: The author of this Psalm and when it was written is not known, but the content will always be suitable for believers throughout history to promote praise to the Creator God. What a blessing to know that God made remarkable details in the design and purpose of the physical realm we inhabit; and we can have a relationship to the Creator God who has revealed himself to those who believe the truth of the Word of God. The LORD has blessed man with many talents and abilities to explore, maintain, and enjoy God's creation in the present life; while those who have accepted salvation in Christ Jesus await the final call to eternal life.

NOTE: Scripture passages are from the American King James Version.

A - THE LORD GOD IS CLOTHED WITH HONOR AND MAJESTY AND IS WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE

Psalm 104 "1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with honor and majesty. 2 Who cover yourself with light as with a garment: who stretch out the heavens like a curtain: 3 Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks on the wings of the wind: 4 Who makes his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: 5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. 6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains. 7 At your rebuke they fled; at the voice of your thunder they hurried away. 8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys to the place which you have founded for them. 9 You have set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth."

COMMENTS: Though the LORD is far above our full comprehension, the psalmist has used picturesque words and phrases to help the believer ponder the unequaled characteristics of the LORD God. We should offer praise and adoration to the LORD From the heart and soul as we consider that he alone has covered himself in light as he can traverse all of heaven with ease, and he makes the angels spirits to be his messengers like flames of fire. You, LORD, laid the foundations of the earth to be established forever, and commanded the water to withdraw to uncover portions of land. This separation by your design provided for a cycle of refreshing water to spread through the atmosphere across the varied elevations of the surface of the land, which then flows back to the lakes or seas.

Other passages expand the ways we can consider that the LORD is covered with light; for us to offer more praise, adoration, and worship. The Apostle John wrote to believers about the light in God. John 1 "5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." Another passage records what Jesus told his disciples. John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." The Apostle Paul knew how much the believer gains from the light from God. 2 Corinthians 4 "6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

B - THE EARTH IS WATERED FROM THE CHAMBERS OF THE LORD TO SUSTAIN LIFE

Psalm 104 "10 He sends the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. 12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13 He waters the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works. 14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; 15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted; 17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies."

COMMENTS: The LORD had many purposes in His design as he separated the great mass of water to no longer cover all land, with great diversity as he provides water from springs below ground, and through widespread precipitation from the atmosphere to sustain life on the land. The psalmist gives examples of the benefits for the plants and animals in common terms that can be appreciated as presented, and can also prompt thoughts of other examples common to the reader familiar with the diversity in various environments. Mankind has the greatest benefits from all of the intricately designed levels of God's creation, and taking this to heart should continue to build upon the reasons to praise the LORD.

C - THE CYCLES OF SEASONS, OF DAYS, AND OF LIFE

Psalm 104 "19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down. 20 You make darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. 22 The sun rises, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. 23 Man goes forth to his work and to his labor until the evening. 24 O LORD, how manifold are your works! in wisdom have you made them all: the earth is full of your riches. 25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. 26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom you have made to play therein. 27 These wait all on you; that you may give them their meat in due season. 28 That you give them they gather: you open your hand, they are filled with good. 29 You hide your face, they are troubled: you take away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. 30 You send forth your spirit, they are created: and you renew the face of the earth."

COMMENTS: The LORD prepared the moon for the seasons that follow a twelve month pattern, and the Sun to provide for daily cycles of light and darkness upon the earth. These interactive factors have an effect on the activities and patterns of the animals and on mankind. So much more could have been outlined, but at this point the psalmist exclaimed to the LORD that his works were so very manifold! They were all made in wisdom filling the earth of his riches. Likewise the great and wide seas are filled with innumerable small and great creatures. Man sails ships across the waters for travel, trade, and gathering commodities from the waters. All creatures wait on you, LORD, for their needs of life, as you open your hand to supply. If you hide your face there is troublesome times, and when you take away the breath they die and return to dust. When you send forth your spirit of life and creation, you renew the face of the earth.

D - WHILE IN THIS LIFE I WILL OFFER PRAISE TO THE EVERLASTING LORD

Psalm 104 "31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32 He looks on the earth, and it trembles: he touches the hills, and they smoke. 33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless you the LORD, O my soul. Praise you the LORD."

COMMENTS: The psalmist believes the glory of the LORD is everlasting and that you LORD, will rejoice in what you have done in your creation. The earth and all that is in it will tremble when you look upon it LORD, as just a touch from you can make the hills smoke. Knowing the LORD God as Savior by faith in him is reason to sing his praises as long as we are in this present body. I want my meditations about the LORD to be sweet and to fill my heart with gladness. Those who remain in sin and wickedness shall be consumed out of the world. The closing verses from the psalmist compel me to agree as I offer from within my soul blessing and praise to the LORD God Almighty!

--- REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ---

LORD, I thank you for this psalm which gives an overview of rich truth about you: the only true and living God. Your majestic qualities amaze me beyond measure as they far exceed my comprehension. Through your loving kindness you made so much intricate design in your creation that mankind will never know all of it in this life. This psalm gives a progression of thought with enough detail to prompt the reader to reflect further, and overflow with praise and adoration for our Almighty Creator God. LORD, your written Word has been the source of truth that drew me to your eternal salvation, as has been the case for numerous other people who have turned to our Creator God throughout many centuries. I know from your Word that the ones who have remained in their sins will be consumed out of this world and will be no more. Because of your love and salvation, I want to continually praise you from my soul, LORD, and to encourage others to do the same. Hallelujah, Amen!