Psalm 104

1. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2. Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest 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 coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted 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.
10. He sendeth 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 watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14. He causeth 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 maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth 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 stork, the fir trees are her house.
18. The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19. He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20. Thou makest 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 ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy 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 thou hast made to play therein.
27. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28. That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31. The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33. I will sing unto 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 thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord.

Psalm 104 is a majestic hymn celebrating the greatness and glory of God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. The psalmist begins by exhorting his own soul to bless the Lord, recognizing God’s magnificence and honor.

The psalmist marvels at God’s creative power, depicted in the imagery of light, heavens stretched out like a curtain, and waters laid as beams of His chambers. God’s sovereignty over the elements is emphasized as He commands the winds and waters, establishes boundaries for the seas, and provides for His creation’s needs.

The psalmist acknowledges God’s provision for all living creatures, from the beasts of the field to the birds of the air. God’s care extends to the vegetation and the cycles of nature, providing food and sustenance for all living beings.

The psalmist reflects on the beauty and order of creation, from the towering cedars to the majestic mountains. Even the celestial bodies, such as the sun and moon, are appointed by God for His purposes.

Throughout the psalm, the psalmist praises God for His manifold works and wisdom displayed in creation. He sings of God’s enduring glory and rejoices in His ongoing creative activity.

In the closing verses, the psalmist expresses his commitment to sing praises to God as long as he lives, meditating on His goodness and sovereignty. He concludes with a prayer for the removal of sin and wickedness from the earth, ending with a resounding call to bless and praise the Lord.

In summary, Psalm 104 serves as a poetic tribute to God’s sovereignty, creativity, and provision in the natural world, inviting all creation to join in worship and praise of the Creator.