Psalms 104
Read Psalms 104 (WEB)+
1Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty. 2He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain. 3He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. 4He makes his messengers winds; his servants flames of fire. 5He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever. 6You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains. 7At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away. 8The mountains rose, the valleys sank down, to the place which you had assigned to them. 9You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; that they don’t turn again to cover the earth. 10He sends springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains. 11They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches. 13He waters the mountains from his rooms. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works. 14He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth: 15wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart. 16Yahweh’s trees are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted; 17where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the cypress trees. 18The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. 19He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set. 20You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the animals of the forest prowl. 21The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. 22The sun rises, and they steal away, and lay down in their dens. 23Man goes out to his work, to his labor until the evening. 24Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches. 25There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals. 26There the ships go, and leviathan, whom you formed to play there. 27These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season. 28You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good. 29You hide your face: they are troubled; you take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust. 30You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground. 31Let Yahweh’s glory endure forever. Let Yahweh rejoice in his works. 32He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. 33I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34Let my meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Yahweh. 35Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,”
Psalms 104:1
Summary
Psalm 104 is a hymn of praise celebrating God's creation and sustaining power. It begins by highlighting the greatness of God, who is clothed in splendor and majesty, and describes His creative acts with vivid imagery. The psalmist marvels at how God stretched out the heavens and set the earth on its foundations. The chapter continues to illustrate God's provision for His creation—sending water to nourish the earth, providing habitats for animals, and food for all living things. This Psalm also emphasizes God's meticulous care and wisdom in ordering the natural world, from the moon directing the seasons to the sun setting up the day's rhythm. Furthermore, the Lord's glory and sovereignty over creation are extolled, with a call for all to praise Him. The psalm concludes with an acknowledgment of human mortality and a petition for God’s joy and glory to endure forever.
Go deeper
Ask the AI about Psalms 104
Bring your question about the chapter, the key verse, or how this passage fits the rest of Scripture.
Daily Scripture study
Get a short devotional by email
One passage, one reflection, and one practical question for the day.
Subscribe free and instantly get “Depth Without Seminary” — our step-by-step study guide (PDF).
One short email each morning. Unsubscribe anytime.
Studying Psalms with a print Bible beside you? See our picks for the best study Bibles for women.
Chapter outline
How Psalms 104 unfolds
Psalm 104:1–4 Praise for God's Greatness
The psalmist begins by calling on his soul to bless Yahweh, affirming God's greatness and majesty as He is adorned in splendor and might.
Psalm 104:5–9 God's Creation of the Earth
The text reflects on God's foundational work in establishing the earth and the boundaries of the seas, highlighting His authority over creation.
Psalm 104:10–18 Provision for Creatures
God is depicted as the provider for all living beings, supplying water, food, and habitats for animals and plants, emphasizing His sustaining power.
Psalm 104:19–24 Order of Time and Creation
The psalmist notes God's arrangement of day and night, illustrating the divine order and rhythm of creation, which benefits all creatures.
Psalm 104:25–30 God's Care for Creation
The psalm highlights the variety of life in the sea and on land, asserting that all depend on God for sustenance and renewal.
Psalm 104:31–35 Call to Praise and Reflection
The chapter concludes with a call to praise Yahweh for His enduring glory and acknowledges human mortality, asking for the wicked to be removed.
Key verses
Psalms 104:1The key verse encapsulates the chapter's essence by affirming God's greatness and inviting a personal response of praise.
Main themes in Psalms 104
Creation
Creation is a central theme in Psalm 104, particularly in verses 5-9, where God establishes the earth and its boundaries. The psalm intricately describes the natural world, illustrating how every aspect reflects God’s creative power. This focus on creation underscores the beauty and order present in the universe, inviting a response of praise.
Divine Providence
Divine Providence emerges in verses 10-18, showing how God provides for all creatures through water, food, and suitable habitats. The psalm captures God's active role in sustaining life, highlighting His meticulous care for creation. This theme illustrates the ongoing relationship between God and His creation, reinforcing the idea that all life is dependent on Him.
God's Majesty
God's Majesty is evident throughout, especially in verses 1-4, which depict Him clothed in honor and power. The grandeur of creation reflects His supreme authority and the reverence due to Him. This theme forms a backdrop for the psalm, emphasizing that recognition of God's majesty is integral to the proper response of worship.
Sustaining Power
Sustaining Power is highlighted in verses 27-30, where the psalmist notes that all creatures rely on God for their needs. God's ongoing provision for creation, including the renewal of life, illustrates His active engagement in the world. This theme calls readers to recognize and appreciate the continuous support God gives to all living things.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 104
- Genesis 1Genesis 1 echoes the themes of creation and divine order present in Psalm 104.
- Job 38Job 38 connects by emphasizing God's authority and wisdom in establishing the natural world.
- Psalm 37Psalm 37 develops the theme of divine providence, showcasing God's provision for the righteous.
- Psalm 19Psalm 19 echoes the declaration of God's glory through creation, aligning with Psalm 104's praise.
- Psalm 145Psalm 145 connects by affirming God’s faithfulness in providing for all living creatures.
- Hebrews 1Hebrews 1 develops the theme of God's majesty, reflecting on Christ's role in sustaining creation.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 104
- What attributes of God are highlighted in verses 1-4?
- How does the imagery of creation in verses 5-9 reflect God's power?
- What role do verses 10-18 attribute to God in the ecosystem?
- How does the arrangement of time in verses 19-24 showcase God's authority?
- What do verses 25-30 suggest about humanity's relationship with creation?
- How does the conclusion in verses 31-35 frame the psalm's overall message?
Psalms 104: frequently asked questions
What is Psalms 104 about?+
What is the key verse in Psalms 104?+
What are the main themes of Psalms 104?+
Related chapters