Scripture reading – Psalm 104
The author of Psalm 104 is unknown; however, he continued the spirit of worship, praise, and thanksgiving that was evidenced in the prior devotion from Psalm 103. Psalm 104 focused on the LORD as the Creator, provider, and sustainer.
Psalm 104 – Creation is God’s Glory on Display
Psalm 104 needs little explanation or commentary. Its simplicity and beauty can inspire saints and sinners to contemplate the earth, sun, stars, and planets. Understanding all creation is a testimony of God’s person; the author, through his pen, sings the LORD’s praises, saying, “1Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty” (104:1).
The Grandeur of God’s Majesty (Psalm 104:1-4)
Psalm 104 reads like a parallel of the first five days of creation (Genesis 1). On the first day of creation, God’s light, His shekinah glory, stretched across the heavens (Psalm 104:2), and He made the heavens His abode (Psalm 104:3; Genesis 1:1-5). In the words of the psalmist, “[He] maketh the clouds his chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind” (Psalm 104:3).
The Creation of the Earth, Its Seas, and Dry Lands (Psalm 104:5-9)
The second day of creation was described as the day the LORD “laid the foundations of the earth” (Psalm 104:5; Genesis 1:6-8; Job 38:4). How did this ancient psalmist know there was a time “the waters stood above the mountains” in the beginning? God revealed to him that He had spoken in the beginning, and the waters were separated from the dry land (Psalm 104:6-9).
In case you have wondered how the vast waters of the ocean are held in place by the sands on the seashore, we read that the Creator “hast set a bound that they [waters] may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth” (Psalm 104:9).
The Provision for Animals of Creation (Psalm 104:10-18)
On the third day of creation, God sent fresh waters throughout the earth so that the thirst of beasts might be quenched (Psalm 104:10-11). He also quenched the thirst for all vegetation, plants, and trees. (Psalm 104:10-18).
The Sun, Moon, and Stars (Psalm 104:19-24)
God set the stars, the sun, and the moon in their places on the fourth day of creation. By their courses, the LORD set the days and seasons (Psalm 104:19-23).
God’s Sovereignty Over His Creation (Psalm 104:29-32)
Pondering the creation of the fifth day, the psalmist exclaimed, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches” (104:24). God created the teeming creatures of the seas on the fifth day (Genesis 1:20-23), and made provision for their food (Psalm 104:24-30). The psalmist observed that the LORD gives and takes life (Psalm 104:29), and He made provision to renew the earth (Psalm 104:30).
You will notice that the subject of creation concluded in Psalm 104 with the fifth day. The writer did not detail the events of the sixth day when God created life on dry land (Genesis 1:24-25) and made man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). He also did not address the seventh day when God rested (Genesis 2:1-3).
Rather than consider man who is the height of God’s creation, the psalm focused on God’s glory displayed in His creation: “The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: The Lord shall rejoice in his works” (Psalm 104:31).
Closing thoughts:
Having considered all God created, the psalmist burst out with a song: “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. 34My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord” (Psalm 104:33-34).
Please take a few moments, ponder the glory of God’s creation, and remember, it is a display of His glory. Let us join with the psalmist, lift our voices, and say,
“I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being” (Psalm 104:34)
Copyright © 2023 – Travis D. Smith
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