God the Creator
Reflections on Psalm 104 (Part One)
A few weeks ago, my Bible reading brought me to Psalm 104. If you scroll further down, the chapter is there to read. It is a poetic anthem of God’s glory for all that he has made. Although not a narrative, it supports and communicates the truth of God the Creator.
Verse one and two begin with an image of God being “clothed with majesty and splendor” who “wraps himself in light as if it were a robe.” This kingly wardrobe is something that he has always worn. There will never be a day that he disrobes his light. In him, there is no darkness because God is fully light. The rays of his glory cover all that he has created.
In verse three, the psalmist speaks of the creative activity of God such as “spreading out the sky like a canopy, laying beams of his palace” and “making the clouds his chariot” and “walking on the wings of the wind.” These descriptions are found in another Old Testament book. I wonder if David, the psalmist, had just meditated on the Israelites deliverance from Egypt?
Remember when… Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh’s palace, the hail fell and locusts were seen in the sky, the chariots pulled in Pharaoh’s army, the pillar of cloud that God led the Israelites, and the wind that divided the Red Sea. All things are purposed under the sovereignty of the Creator.
Verses five through nine reiterate that creation obeys God. The foundations of the earth and the things on it are established. The psalmist writes of another time in the Old Testament when “water stood above the mountains; at your rebuke the water fled.”
Remember when… Noah built an ark to escape the floodwaters that God sent because of the wickedness that filled the earth. There was rain for forty days and nights. It was in God’s timing that it stayed and according to his promise it “will never cover the earth again.” The earth remained established by its Creator.
Verses 10 through 15 speak of God’s provision for creatures and creation. “He causes the springs to gush” and “He waters the mountains from his palace.” There is repeated imagery of water being a life source as well as the psalmist adding that the provision of food “sustains human hearts.” The nourishment in food and water are common graces given by the Creator.
In verse 13, it says, “the earth is satisfied by the fruit of your labor.” There’s no discontentment that the earth complains about to its Creator. It glorifies him just as he planned. God works and always sees the results of his work. It is good and blessed work.
Is there an adjective beyond grandiose? If so, then let that be the word to describe these countless works praised by the psalmist. This is just nearly half of the chapter. The rest of it will be reflected upon in a future post.
For now, say aloud with the Psalmist, “My soul, bless the Lord!”
Psalm 104
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty,
2 covering yourself with light as with a garment,
stretching out the heavens like a tent.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters;
he makes the clouds his chariot;
he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds,
his ministers a flaming fire.
5 He set the earth on its foundations,
so that it should never be moved.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled;
at the sound of your thunder they took to flight.
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down
to the place that you appointed for them.
9 You set a boundary that they may not pass,
so that they might not again cover the earth.
10 You make springs gush forth in the valleys;
they flow between the hills;
11 they give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell;
they sing among the branches.
13 From your lofty abode you water the mountains;
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.
14 You cause the grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for man to cultivate,
that he may bring forth food from the earth
15 and wine to gladden the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine
and bread to strengthen man's heart.
