Psalm 104 is a magnificent Psalm of praise, praising God for His creation and His continuing care for all He has made.
The Psalmist opens with a blessing to the Lord, followed by acknowledging God's greatness, His honor and majesty, and notices how God's heavens are stretched out like a curtain. Perhaps he is in awe at the beauty of the night sky. He wonders about the power of the weather, with water, clouds, the wind, and flaming fire.
He describes the oceans and a great flood, noting that at God's command the waters receded to boundaries which were set by God. He notes the water flowing in rivers and streams that provides refreshment to all the wild animals living throughout the earth.
God has given grass for the wild animals to eat, trees for birds to make their homes in, and hills and cliffs for the goats and rock badgers. The sun and moon appoint the seasons and times for light and darkness, so that lions know when to hunt, and man knows when it is time to go to work.
The Psalmist pauses from his recounting of God's works to offer this beautiful statement of praise:
O LORD, how manifold are Your works!
In wisdom You have made them all.
The earth is full of Your possessions
The Psalmist notes that all of creation is dependent upon God for their livelihood:
These all wait for You,
That You may give them their food in due season.
What You give them they gather in;
You open Your hand, they are filled with good.
You hide Your face, they are troubled;
You take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
You send forth Your Spirit, they are created;
And You renew the face of the earth.
The Psalmist closes with words of praise, and the hope that his meditation may be pleasing to God.
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
May my meditation be sweet to Him;
I will be glad in the LORD.
May sinners be consumed from the earth,
And the wicked be no more.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Praise the LORD!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.