Psalms 104

Psalms 104:1-9

The object of the psalmist’s praises is Jesus, the great author of all. (Compare ver. 5. with Heb. i. 7.) The psalm contains a most sublime description of his works, his greatness, and his glory. Is not forth, 1. The psalms of his majesty in the upper world, ver. 1—4. 2. The creation of the sea, and the dry land; ver. 5—9. 3. The provision he makes for the maintenance of all the creatures according to their nature, ver. 10—18, and again, ver. 27, 28. 4. The regular coasts of the sun and moon, ver. 19—24. 5. The furniture of the sea, ver. 25, 26. 6. His sovereign power over all the creatures, ver. 29—32. And, lastly, he concludes with a pleasant and firm refutation to continue praising him, ver. 33—35. With which we should heartily join in singing this psalm.

1. BLESS the LORD, O my soul: O LORD, my God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with honour and majesty. 2. Who covereth thyself with You.

light, as with a garment: ‘who stretcheth out the heavens like a curtain. 3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters, who maketh the clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the wind. 4. Who maketh 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. Thou covereth it with the deep as such a garment: the waters flood above the mountains. 7. At thy rebuke they fled: at the voice of thy thunder they hastened away. 8. They go up by the mountains: they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. 9. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over: that they turn not again to cover the earth.

One page of the holy scriptures contains more of the true sublime, than is to be found in all the volumes of poets and philosophers, of which this psalm is a striking instance, where majesty of diction, valthesis of idea, and the transcendently dazzling brightness of the images, conspire to fill the soul with sacred reverence and awe of the Divine Majesty, whose glory passes before us.

1. The psalmist calls upon his own soul to awoke, to praise Jehovah, Jesus, crowding grace in his divine person; in his amazing works of creation, providence, and grace; in his distinguished offices; in self-existent glory, clothed with majesty and honour; the object of universal adoration in earth and heaven; and what above all engages the heart, my God, in all whose greatness and glory I am unnoted.

2. He describes the exceeding greatness of his covenant God, before whose majesty prefers all human grandeur vanishes, as the glow-worn before the meridian sun. What monarch ever appeared to clothed, so enthroned, so attended? Light itself is his garment, so bright and dazzling, that even angels themselves veil their faces when they approach his foothold, unable to bear the intolerable blaze. The valle expanses of heaven is the curtain of his pavilion, as easily stretched out at his word, and, when he pleases, as instantly rolled together, v. 2. Above the firmament his radiant throne is Lord, and on those waters that float in the skies are the beams of his chambers laid. If he comes forth, the clouds his chariots wait, and he walketh on the wings of the wind; so swift to succour his people, or pour vengeance on their foes, v. 3. Bright angels, ministers of flame, spirits disencumbered from the fetters of material substance, stand ready, the creatures of his hand and the willing servants of his pleasure, v. 4. Fired by him on a basis immovable, the solid earth abides, v. 6. The vast abys of waters, that at creation covered it, at his command hastened to the hollow deep, fled over the mountains, and through the valleys retired to their appointed places: there shut up in bounds they cannot pass, the hollows to themselves in vain; since God hath said, Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed. Meditate, my soul, on these wonders of power, and ceaseless adore this glorious Jehovah.

3. He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills. 11. They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild ashes quench their thirst. 12. By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. 13. He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the frost of thy works. 14. He casteth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth tood out of the earth: 15. And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to thine, and bread which strengtheth man’s heart. 16. The trees of the LORD are full of sap: the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted. 17. Where the birds make their nests: as for the stock, the fir-trees are her house. 18. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, and the rocks for the cooies.

Psalms 104:10-18

Having mentioned the more august displays of the Divine Majesty in heaven and earth, the psalmist passes on to consider his beautiful providential care over the world, and the creatures in it, the work of his hands.

1. He sends his rain from the clouds, his chambers, to fill the vast reservoirs in the hills and mountains, from whence the springs burst forth, and descend into the valleys beneath, v. 10. affording grateful refreshment to the thrifty cattle, and at which even the wild ashes quench their thirst. Shall God then so kindly relieve the wants of creatures so worthless; and can we dare distrust him, or fear he will let us lack?

2. By the fides of these flowing streams the birds take up their grateful abode, and on the branches sing, as if attempting

to articulate thanksgiving for the provision God hath made. Shall they sing, and man he silent? forbid it, gratitude!

3. By these kind rains also the earth impregnated, teems with vegetative life, well-pleased to bear those fruits which God causes to spring forth, v. 13. grafe for the cattle, and barb for the people of man, for food or physic. A rich provision, not only for necessity but delight: corn, wine, and oil, to strengthen his body, to cheat his spirits, and beautify his countenance, v. 15. Note. (1.) Since we are daily fed by God’s bounty, it becomes us to be thankful for the provision, and dependant on his providence. (2.) If God hath given us so many good things, and, far from tantalizing us merely with the sight, bids us enjoy his buildings, let us beware we do not by our abide turn that into our curie, which was designed for our comfort.

4. The trees, as well as animals, are fed with their proper nourishment: filled with sap, under God’s care they grow; his hand pleaded them, and he waters them with the dew of heaven. Such are his saints, planted by his grace, and watered with heavenly influences; full of sap and spiritual life within; increasing with the increase of God; tall as the cedars, and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God.

5. By strange instinct the birds are taught to build their nests on the holy trees, as the place most suitable and safe, v. 17, and the wild goats, fondate of their defenceless state, chuse the high hills and precipices for their abode and refuge; and the feeble and fearful rabbits burrow under the rocks for their shelter, v. 18. Shall these all these wisdom in their choice, and shall we be the only fools in nature? Instead of flying to Jesus as our refuge, and making him our munition of rocks, shall we neglect his great salvation, and carelessly stand exposed to every spiritual enemy, till we fall a prey to the defiance?

largest liberally supplied, and all filled with good, receiving the portion found to their wants. Shall men then be left careful to seek their meat from God, or dare impatiently murmur against the provision made for them?

3. In his hands they are to live or die; if he with-holds their supplies, they pine with hunger; if he command the breath he gave to depart, they return to their duft. Yet, though death seems to threaten universal desolation, a new creation in favoritism rises, no species of animals fails; the earth is replenished with inhabitants, renewed daily by the rising sun, and annually by the returning spring.

4. Well might these views make the pous palmiti cry out, O Lord, how manifold are thy works! to vall and various, and withal so exquisitely finished; as wisdom half thou made thou all: the works of man will hardly bear inspection, and the telescope eye declares the fouled flaws in the most finished pieces; but here examination raises the wonder, all is executed beyond the power of imagination to add thereto, or the possibility of finding fault: as for God, his work is perfect.

5. The glory of the LORD shall + endure for ever: Heb. let the LORD shall rejoice in his works. 32. He looked on the earth, and it trembled; he touched the hills, and they thoke. 33. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise unto 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 confirmed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more: bless thou the LORD, O my soul, Praise ye the LORD. Heb. Heb. helpful. Rev. 6th. 1. 3.

Psalms 104:31-35

We have here.

1. The palmiti’s resolution, whilst he hath a being, to give praise unto God for all he is in himself, and for the wonders he hath wrought. His glory is everlasting; it will appear not only through time, but to eternity, and fauna and angels will for ever adore him. The Lord shall rejoice in his works, well-pleased on the Survey; for all he doth, it must have: and, if he pleased, with one frown he could dissolve all created nature. He looked on the earth, and it trembled, convulsed with earthquakes: he touched the hills, and strait the fire kindles, they smoke, and burll forth in flames. Most worthy therefore is he to be praised, who is so greatly to be feared. Let the sinner tremble, who obstinately refuses, or carelessly neglects, to give him the glory due unto his name. If but a touch, a frown, is so terrible, how will the guilty soul endure the fierceness of his wrath, and the lighting down of his indignation?

2. He determines with delight to meditate continually on all his wondrous works: his works of providence, and his yet more pleasing works of redemption and grace; the sweetest subject that can engage the believer’s thoughts; and as the best effect of such contemplation, I will be glad in in the Lord; the reflections will fill his soul with joy, and his lips with praise to this divine and adored Jesus.

3. He foresees the end of the wicked, and prays for the appearing of God’s glory in their destruction. Let the sinners, who obstinately reject God’s government, and rob him of his glory, be a criminal out of the earth, by the stroke of judgment, and the brightness of the Saviour’s coming; and let the wicked, whose ways are one continued scene of impiety and iniquity, be no more; cut off with everlasting destruction from the patience of the Lord. Note. The hour is near, when all God’s patience with the ungodly shall have an end, and ruin terrible and eternal overtake them.

4. He concludes with calling on his own soul to bless the Lord for his judgments on the wicked, and invites all God’s people to join his praises. Here first in the palms the word Hallelujah occurs, and this on occasion of the destruction of the ungodly. It is in the New Testament only found in Rev. xix. 1—6. where it is used on a like occasion. Note. The damnation of the finally impenetent will redound to God’s glory, as well as the salvation of the faithful; and both afford matter for his saints everlasting praises.