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Commentary on Psalms 104 verses 1–9
When we are addressing ourselves to any religious service we must stir up ourselves to take hold on God in it (Isa 64:7); so David does here. "Come, my soul, where art thou? What art thou thinking of? Here is work to be done, good work, angels' work; set about it in good earnest; let all the powers and faculties be engaged and employed in it: Bless the Lord, O my soul!" In these verses,
I. The psalmist looks up to the divine glory shining in the upper world, of which, though it is one of the things not seen, faith is the evidence. With what reverence and holy awe does he begin his meditation with that acknowledgment: O Lord my God! thou art very great! It is the joy of the saints that he who is their God is a great God. The grandeur of the prince is the pride and pleasure of all his good subjects. The majesty of God is here set forth by various instances, alluding to the figure which great princes in their public appearances covet to make. Their equipage, compared with his (even of the eastern kings, who most affected pomp), is but as the light of a glow-worm compared with that of the sun, when he goes forth in his strength. Princes appear great, 1. In their robes; and what are God's robes? Thou art clothed with honour and majesty, Psa 104:1. God is seen in his works, and these proclaim him infinitely wise and good, and all that is great. Thou coverest thyself with light as with a garment, Psa 104:2. God is light (Jo1 1:5), the Father of lights (Jam 1:17); he dwells in light (Ti1 6:16); he clothes himself with it. The residence of his glory is in the highest heaven, that light which was created the first day, Gen 1:3. Of all visible beings light comes nearest to the nature of a spirit, and therefore with that God is pleased to cover himself, that is, to reveal himself under that similitude, as men are seen in the clothes with which they cover themselves; and so only, for his face cannot be seen. 2. In their palaces or pavilions, when they take the field; and what is God's palace and his pavilion? He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, Psa 104:2. So he did at first, when he made the firmament, which in the Hebrew has its name from its being expanded, or stretched out, Gen 1:7. He made it to divide the waters as a curtain divides between two apartments. So he does still: he now stretches out the heavens like a curtain, keeps them upon the stretch, and they continue to this day according to his ordinance. The regions of the air are stretched out about the earth, like a curtain about a bed, to keep it warm, and drawn between us and the upper world, to break its dazzling light; for, though God covers himself with light, yet, in compassion to us, he makes darkness his pavilion. Thick clouds are a covering to him. The vastness of this pavilion may lead us to consider how great, how very great, he is that fills heaven and earth. He has his chambers, his upper rooms (so the word signifies), the beams whereof he lays in the waters, the waters that are above the firmament (Psa 104:3), as he has founded the earth upon the seas and floods, the waters beneath the firmament. Though air and water are fluid bodies, yet, by the divine power, they are kept as tight and as firm in the place assigned them as a chamber is with beams and rafters. How great a God is he whose presence-chamber is thus reared, thus fixed! 3. In their coaches of state, with their stately horses, which add much to the magnificence of their entries; but God makes the clouds his chariots, in which he rides strongly, swiftly, and far above out of the reach of opposition, when at any time he will act by uncommon providences in the government of this world. He descended in a cloud, as in a chariot, to Mount Sinai, to give the law, and to Mount Tabor, to proclaim the gospel (Mat 17:5), and he walks (a gentle pace indeed, yet stately) upon the wings of the wind. See Psa 18:10, Psa 18:11. He commands the winds, directs them as he pleases, and serves his own purposes by them. 4. In their retinue or train of attendants; and here also God is very great, for (Psa 104:4) he makes his angels spirits. This is quoted by the apostle (Heb 1:7) to prove the pre-eminence of Christ above the angels. The angels are here said to be his angels and his ministers, for they are under his dominion and at his disposal; they are winds, and a flame of fire, that is, they appeared in wind and fire (so some), or they are as swift as winds, and pure as flames; or he makes them spirits, so the apostle quotes it. They are spiritual beings; and, whatever vehicles they may have proper to their nature, it is certain they have not bodies as we have. Being spirits, they are so much the further removed from the encumbrances of the human nature and so much the nearer allied to the glories of the divine nature. And they are bright, and quick, and ascending, as fire, as a flame of fire. In Ezekiel's vision they ran and returned like a flash of lightning, Eze 1:14. Thence they are called seraphim - burners. Whatever they are, they are what God made them, what he still makes them; they derive their being from him, having the being he gave them, are held in being by him, and he makes what use he pleases of them.
II. He looks down, and looks about, to the power of God shining in this lower world. He is not so taken up with the glories of his court as to neglect even the remotest of his territories; no, not the sea and dry land.
1.He has founded the earth, Psa 104:5. Though he has hung it upon nothing (Job 26:2), ponderibus librata suis - balanced by its own weight, yet it is as immovable as if it had been laid upon the surest foundations. He has built the earth upon her basis, so that though it has received a dangerous shock by the sin of man, and the malice of hell strikes at it, yet it shall not be removed for ever, that is, not till the end of time, when it must give way to the new earth. Dr. Hammond's paraphrase of this is worth noting: "God has fixed so strange a place for the earth, that, being a heavy body, one would think it should fall every minute; and yet, which way soever we would imagine it to stir, it must, contrary to the nature of such a body, fall upwards, and so can have no possible ruin but by tumbling into heaven."
2.He has set bounds to the sea; for that also is his. (1.) He brought it within bounds in the creation. At first the earth, which, being the more ponderous body, would subside of course, was covered with the deep (Psa 104:6): The waters were above the mountains; and so it was unfit to be, as it was designed, a habitation for man; and therefore, on the third day, God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered to one place, and let the dry land appear, Gen 1:9. This command of God is here called his rebuke, as if he gave it because he was displeased that the earth was thus covered with water and not fit for man to dwell on. Power went along with this word, and therefore it is also called here the voice of his thunder, which is a mighty voice and produces strange effects, Psa 104:7. At thy rebuke, as if they were made sensible that they were out of their place, they fled; they hasted away (they called, and not in vain, to the rocks and mountains to cover them), as it is said on another occasion (Psa 77:16), The waters saw thee, O God! the waters saw thee; they were afraid. Even those fluid bodies received the impression of God's terror. But was the Lord displeased against the rivers? No; it was for the salvation of his people, Hab 3:8, Hab 3:13. So here; God rebuked the waters for man's sake, to prepare room for him; for men must not be made as the fishes of the sea (Hab 1:14); they must have air to breathe in. Immediately therefore, with all speed, the waters retired, Psa 104:8. They go over hill and dale (as we say), go up by the mountains and down by the valleys; they will neither stop at the former nor lodge in the latter, but make the best of their way to the place which thou hast founded for them, and there they make their bed. Let the obsequiousness even of the unstable waters teach us obedience to the word and will of God; for shall man alone of all the creatures be obstinate? Let their retiring to and resting in the place assigned them teach us to acquiesce in the disposals of that wise providence which appoints us the bounds of our habitation. (2.) He keeps it within bounds, Psa 104:9. The waters are forbidden to pass over the limits set them; they may not, and therefore they do not, turn again to cover the earth. Once they did, in Noah's flood, because God bade them, but never since, because he forbids them, having promised not to drown the world again. God himself glorifies in this instance of his power (Job 38:8, etc.) and uses it as an argument with us to fear him, Jer 5:22. This, if duly considered, would keep the world in awe of the Lord and his goodness, That the waters of the sea would soon cover the earth if God did not restrain them.
"He has founded the earth upon its firmness" [Psalm 104:5]. He has founded the Church upon the firmness of the Church. What is the firmness of the Church, but the foundation of the Church. What is the foundation of the Church, but that of which the Apostle says, "Other foundation can no man lay but that is laid, which is Christ Jesus." [1 Corinthians 3:11] And therefore, grounded on such a foundation, what has she deserved to hear? "It shall not be bowed forever and ever." "He founded the earth on its firmness." That is, He has founded the Church upon Christ the foundation. The Church will totter if the foundation totter; but when shall Christ totter, before whose coming unto us, and taking flesh on Him, "all things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made;" [John 1:3] who holds all things by His Majesty, [Hebrews 1:3] and us by His goodness? Since Christ fails not, "she shall not be bowed for ever and ever." Where are they who say that the Church has perished from the world, when she cannot even be bowed....
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SUMMARY
Psalms 104:5 serves as a profound declaration of God's majestic power and intricate wisdom as the sovereign Creator and sustainer of the earth. This verse anchors the psalm's grand hymn of creation, asserting that God not only brought the world into existence but also established it upon secure and enduring foundations, ensuring its perpetual stability against any force that might seek to dislodge or destroy it. It highlights the divine intentionality and ongoing providence behind the very ground beneath our feet, standing as a timeless testament to God's faithfulness and the inherent reliability of His created order.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several literary devices to convey the profound theological truth of Psalms 104:5. Personification is evident as the earth is described as having "foundations," a characteristic typically applied to human-built structures. This anthropomorphic language helps the reader visualize the earth as a securely built dwelling, emphasizing its stability and the deliberate design behind it. The phrase "should not be removed for ever" utilizes hyperbole or poetic exaggeration to underscore the absolute and enduring nature of God's design and sustenance. While the earth is geologically dynamic, the phrase poetically asserts its fundamental and divinely guaranteed stability for its intended purpose and duration. An implied antithesis exists between the chaos often associated with primeval waters or the unpredictable forces attributed to pagan deities in ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, and the divinely ordained order and stability established by Yahweh, highlighting God's unique power to bring and maintain cosmic order.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 104:5 stands as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty and unwavering faithfulness. The earth's enduring stability, divinely established and perpetually maintained, serves as a tangible witness to the unchanging character of its Creator. It reassures humanity that the God who laid the cosmic foundations is also the reliable God who upholds His promises and governs all things with steadfast purpose. This steadfastness of creation powerfully reflects the steadfastness of God's covenantal love and His meticulous providential care for His people. The physical stability of the earth provides a secure stage for the drama of human history and redemption, reminding us that even amidst personal or global uncertainties, the ultimate foundation of reality rests securely and eternally in God's capable hands.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Psalms 104:5 invites us to gaze upon the world with renewed awe and worship for its divine Architect. In a world often characterized by instability, uncertainty, and rapid change—whether personal, societal, or global—the declaration that God "laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever" offers immense comfort and a solid basis for trust. It reminds us that our lives, though seemingly small in the grand cosmic scheme, are lived on a stage meticulously designed and perpetually sustained by an all-powerful, all-wise, and faithful God. This truth should foster a deep sense of security, knowing that the same God who ensures the earth's stability also holds our individual lives and destinies securely in His hands. It calls us to respond with humble reverence, to live in harmony with creation as stewards, and to place our unwavering trust in the continuous providence of the One who established the very ground beneath our feet and sustains all things.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does "not be removed for ever" mean the earth will never end?
Answer: The phrase "for ever" (Hebrew: ʻôwlâm) in this context signifies an enduring perpetuity or for an age, rather than an absolute, literal eternity without any change whatsoever. Biblical language, especially poetic and theological language, often describes things phenomenologically—how they appear and function for their intended purpose within the current cosmic order. The psalmist emphasizes the earth's stability and reliability for the duration of its present form, ensuring it remains a habitable and steadfast home for humanity through generations. This does not necessarily contradict New Testament prophecies about a future transformation, such as the "new heavens and new earth" described in Revelation 21:1 or the passing away of the present heavens and earth in 2 Peter 3:10. Rather, it assures us that the earth will remain stable and fulfill God's purposes until He chooses to bring about its ultimate renewal or transformation in His sovereign timing.
How does this verse relate to scientific understanding of geology or cosmology?
Answer: Psalms 104:5, like other biblical creation accounts, is fundamentally a theological statement, not a scientific treatise. Its primary purpose is to declare God's power, wisdom, and sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer, inspiring worship, reverence, and trust in His providential care. It describes the earth from a human, observational perspective (phenomenological language) and for theological purposes, emphasizing divine control and reliability. It is not intended to provide a detailed scientific explanation of geological processes, plate tectonics, or the earth's dynamic internal structure. The "foundations" are a poetic metaphor for the earth's secure establishment by God, and "not be removed" asserts God's divine control over its fundamental stability, ensuring it remains habitable and reliable for its intended duration, despite any natural changes or movements. The Bible and science operate on different but complementary levels of truth: the Bible reveals the Who and Why of creation, while science explores the How and What of its mechanisms.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 104:5, with its declaration of God laying the foundations of the earth for its enduring stability, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The New Testament profoundly reveals that it was through Christ that all things were created, and by Him, all things continuously hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 explicitly states that "by him all things were created... and in him all things hold together." The stability of the physical earth, established by the Father, is continuously upheld by the Son, who is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore, the unshakeable nature of the earth points to the unshakeable power, faithfulness, and eternal reliability of Christ Himself. Furthermore, Christ is presented as the ultimate, sure foundation for believers. Just as the earth has a secure base, so too do those who build their lives on Christ find an enduring and unmovable spiritual foundation, as declared in 1 Corinthians 3:11. His kingdom is an "unshakable kingdom" (Hebrews 12:27-28), providing eternal stability and security that far surpasses the physical permanence of the earth. Thus, the psalm's praise for the Creator who laid the earth's foundations ultimately leads us to worship Christ, the divine Word and Sustainer, who is our eternal and unshakeable hope.