Psalms 104:14

KJV

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;

KJV (with Strong's)

He causeth the grass {H2682} to grow {H6779} for the cattle {H929}, and herb {H6212} for the service {H5656} of man {H120}: that he may bring forth {H3318} food {H3899} out of the earth {H776};

Complete Jewish Bible

You grow grass for the cattle; and for people you grow the plants they need to bring forth bread from the earth,

Berean Standard Bible

He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:

American Standard Version

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,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 104:14 masterfully portrays God's active, meticulous, and continuous provision for all living creatures through the abundant vegetation of the earth. It highlights His sovereign role in causing grass to grow as sustenance for livestock and specific herbs for the benefit and service of humanity, culminating in the earth's divinely enabled capacity to yield life-sustaining food. This verse profoundly underscores the divine wisdom, benevolent care, and faithful sustenance embedded within the natural order, revealing God as the ultimate Provider who ensures the flourishing of both animal and human life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise, celebrating God as the majestic Creator and faithful Sustainer of the cosmos. Often considered a poetic reflection on the creation accounts in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), the psalm systematically surveys the various realms of creation, from the celestial heavens (vv. 1-9) to the terrestrial earth. Verse 14 is situated within a section (vv. 10-18) that focuses on God's provision of water and its life-giving effects, leading to the flourishing of vegetation. This specific verse marks a crucial transition from the general provision of water to the direct, tangible outcome: the growth of plants that sustain both animals and humans. It moves beyond the initial act of creation to emphasize God's ongoing, active involvement in maintaining the world He made, illustrating His detailed and practical care for His creatures.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, life was inextricably linked to agriculture and the often unpredictable cycles of nature. The availability of food was never guaranteed but depended heavily on consistent rainfall and fertile land. This precarious context made the concept of divine provision profoundly significant for survival. Unlike the capricious and often demanding deities of surrounding polytheistic cultures, the God of Israel is depicted as consistently benevolent, reliable, and actively involved in the daily sustenance of His creation. The psalm reflects a worldview where every aspect of natural productivity—from the sprouting of seeds to the ripening of harvests—is attributed directly to God's ongoing intervention. This fostered a deep sense of dependence and gratitude for His daily sustenance, which was literally a matter of life and death for ancient agrarian societies.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically highlights **Divine Provision and Sustenance**, showcasing God's active and continuous role in supplying the needs of His creation. This includes not only direct provision for humanity but also for animals, underscoring the comprehensive nature of His care. This theme resonates deeply with Jesus' teaching on God's meticulous care for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field, assuring humanity that God's provision for them is even greater, as beautifully articulated in [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God's Care for the Birds"). Secondly, the verse underscores the **Order and Purpose in Creation**, demonstrating that every element, specifically vegetation, serves a divinely ordained function within God's intricate design. The distinction between "grass for the cattle" and "herb for the service of man" underscores a purposeful differentiation in God's provision, echoing the initial creation mandate for humanity's sustenance in [Genesis 1:29-30](/genesis/1-29-30 "Genesis 1:29-30 - God's Provision of Food for Humanity"). Finally, the verse profoundly illustrates **Dependence on God's Ongoing Care**, emphasizing that the earth's ability to produce food is not inherent but a direct result of God's continuous working and blessing, reminding all of creation of its absolute reliance on the Creator for daily sustenance and life itself.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grass (Hebrew, _châtsîyr'_):** This term (H2682) refers to green vegetation generally, often specifically fodder for animals. Its inclusion here highlights God's comprehensive care, extending even to the sustenance of livestock (H929, _bᵉhêmâh_), which in turn often serves humanity. It signifies the foundational layer of the food chain, provided directly by divine action.
* **Herb (Hebrew, _ʻeseb'_):** Distinct from "grass," this word (H6212) typically denotes plants, especially those that are cultivated or specifically useful for human consumption or benefit (e.g., grains, vegetables, medicinal plants). This distinction underscores God's intentional and specific provision for humanity's (H120, _ʼâdâm_) diverse needs, acknowledging a higher level of utility and perhaps cultivation associated with human "service" (H5656, _ʻăbôdâh_).
* **Food (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** While often translated as "bread," _lechem_ (H3899) in this context carries a broader meaning of sustenance or nourishment derived from the earth (H776, _ʼerets_). It encapsulates the ultimate purpose of both "grass" and "herb"—to provide life-sustaining nourishment. The phrase "bring forth food out of the earth" (H3318, _yâtsâʼ_) emphasizes the earth's role as a conduit for God's provision, not its independent source.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle":** This opening clause immediately attributes the growth of vegetation directly to God's active, continuous intervention ("He causeth"). It emphasizes His benevolent care for the animal kingdom, providing the necessary fodder for their survival and flourishing. This highlights a foundational aspect of the created order where God ensures the well-being of all creatures, demonstrating His comprehensive and detailed providence.
* **"and herb for the service of man":** This phrase specifies God's tailored provision for humanity. The "herb" (cultivated plants) is given "for the service of man," indicating its utility for human sustenance, labor, and overall well-being. This implies a purposeful design where humanity is not only provided for but also given resources to manage and utilize for their benefit, reflecting God's unique and specific care for His image-bearers.
* **"that he may bring forth food out of the earth":** This concluding clause states the overarching purpose and ultimate outcome of the preceding provisions. The growth of grass and herbs is ultimately to enable the earth to yield "food" (broadly, sustenance). The phrasing "that he may bring forth" again emphasizes God as the ultimate agent behind the earth's productivity, reinforcing that the earth's fruitfulness is a direct result of His ongoing divine activity and blessing, rather than an inherent, independent capacity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 104:14 employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Parallelism** is prominently featured in the balanced structure of "grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man," which effectively highlights God's dual and distinct provision for both animals and humans, showcasing His comprehensive care. The repeated emphasis on divine agency through phrases like "He causeth" and "that he may bring forth" exemplifies **Divine Action**, leaving no doubt about God as the active, primary agent of creation's sustenance. The verse also utilizes a form of **Merism** by mentioning both "grass" (general vegetation, fodder) and "herb" (specific, useful plants for human consumption), thereby encompassing the full spectrum of plant life provided by God. While not explicit personification, the idea of the earth "bringing forth food" borders on a subtle **Prosopopoeia**, where the earth is depicted as actively yielding its produce, albeit entirely under divine impetus and direction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse is a profound statement on God's active, ongoing providence and His meticulous care for His creation. It underscores the biblical truth that God is not merely a distant Creator but an immanent Sustainer, intimately involved in the daily provision of life. The distinction between provision for animals and for humans highlights God's comprehensive benevolence, while also subtly affirming humanity's unique role and needs within the created order. This divine provision is not a one-time act but a continuous flow of grace, reminding us that every meal, every blade of grass, and every flourishing plant is a tangible testament to God's faithfulness, wisdom, and unfailing love. It invites us to cultivate a posture of constant gratitude and trust in the One who reliably sustains all things.

* [Deuteronomy 8:3](/deuteronomy/8-3 "Deuteronomy 8:3 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")
* [Matthew 6:25-33](/matthew/6-25-33 "Matthew 6:25-33 - Do Not Worry About Your Life")
* [Job 38:25-27](/job/38-25-27 "Job 38:25-27 - God's Provision for the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 104:14 calls us to a deeper awareness of God's omnipresent and faithful provision in our daily lives. In a world that often takes natural resources for granted, this verse reorients our perspective, reminding us that the food on our tables, the beauty of the fields, and the very sustenance of life are direct, miraculous gifts from the hand of our Creator. It invites us to move beyond a transactional or purely naturalistic view of life to one of profound gratitude, recognizing that our existence is entirely dependent on God's ongoing grace. This understanding should inspire us to responsible stewardship of the earth's resources, treating them not as commodities to be exploited, but as sacred trusts from God, to be managed wisely for the flourishing of all creation. Furthermore, it builds our trust in God's faithfulness, assuring us that the same God who reliably causes the grass to grow will also meet our deeper needs, both physical and spiritual, according to His perfect wisdom and inexhaustible love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the direct cause of growth (rather than just natural processes) transform your perspective on daily provision and the food you consume?**
* **In what tangible ways can we cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the "grass for the cattle" and "herb for the service of man" in our own lives, acknowledging God's hand in every detail?**
* **What practical steps can we take individually and communally to be better stewards of the earth's resources, reflecting God's own meticulous care for His creation?**
* **How does the consistent and unfailing provision described in this verse encourage your trust in God for future needs, anxieties, or uncertainties in your life?**

### FAQ
**Why does the verse distinguish between "grass for the cattle" and "herb for the service of man"?**

Answer: The distinction highlights God's comprehensive and tailored provision for all living things within His creation. "Grass" (חָצִיר, _chatsir_) generally refers to fodder, the common green vegetation that sustains grazing animals. "Herb" (עֵשֶׂב, _eseb_), on the other hand, often denotes more specific, cultivated plants like grains, vegetables, or medicinal plants that are directly useful for human consumption, sustenance, or other services. This differentiation underscores God's meticulous care, providing exactly what is needed for each category of His creation, demonstrating His wisdom in designing an ecosystem where both animals and humans are sustained according to their specific needs. It echoes the initial creation narrative in [Genesis 1:11-12](/genesis/1-11-12 "Genesis 1:11-12 - God Creates Vegetation") where God commands the earth to bring forth "grass" and "herb yielding seed," showing a divine design for distinct purposes.

**How does this verse reconcile God's provision with human effort in farming and agriculture?**

Answer: This verse emphasizes God as the ultimate source and enabler of all growth, stating "He causeth" and "that he may bring forth." It does not negate human effort but rather establishes the divine foundation upon which all human labor depends. Farmers can sow seeds, till the soil, and irrigate, but it is God who provides the sun, rain, and the inherent life-giving properties of the earth that cause the seeds to sprout and grow. Human effort is a form of stewardship and co-laboring with God, utilizing the resources and natural laws He has established. Without God's ongoing act of "causing" growth, human agricultural efforts would be futile. Thus, the verse promotes humility and gratitude, recognizing that while we work, it is God who gives the increase, as seen in [1 Corinthians 3:7](/1_corinthians/3-7 "1 Corinthians 3:7 - God Gives the Growth"). Our labor is a response to His prior and ongoing provision.

**Is the "food out of the earth" mentioned here solely physical, or does it have broader implications?**

Answer: Primarily, the "food out of the earth" refers to physical sustenance, the literal nourishment derived from vegetation that sustains both animal and human life. However, within the broader biblical context, physical provision often points to deeper spiritual truths. Just as God provides physical bread, He also provides spiritual sustenance. This verse can serve as a powerful metaphor for God's comprehensive provision, reminding us that the same faithful God who sustains our bodies also sustains our souls. Jesus Himself taught that man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God ([Matthew 4:4](/matthew/4-4 "Matthew 4:4 - Man Lives by Every Word of God")). Therefore, while the immediate context is physical, the theological implications extend to God's all-encompassing care for every aspect of our being, inviting us to trust Him for both our material and spiritual needs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 104:14, with its vivid depiction of God's meticulous and ongoing provision for all life through the earth's bounty, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is not only the agent through whom all things were created, but also the One in whom "all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ is Creator and Sustainer")), actively sustaining the very processes described in the psalm. Jesus Himself is the ultimate "food out of the earth," not in a literal sense, but as the "Bread of Life" who came down from heaven to give life to the world ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")). Just as God provides physical nourishment for the body, Christ provides spiritual nourishment for the soul, satisfying a hunger that no earthly food can appease. His teachings, particularly on God's care for the sparrows and the lilies of the field, as found in [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry"), powerfully echo the psalmist's confidence in God's unfailing provision, assuring His followers that if God sustains the natural world so perfectly, He will surely provide for His children. In Christ, the ongoing, benevolent care of God, celebrated in Psalm 104, is fully revealed and eternally secured, providing not just physical sustenance but eternal life and spiritual flourishing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 28:5

[As for] the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

Psalms 136:25

Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

Psalms 147:8

Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

Psalms 147:9

He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.

Genesis 9:3

Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

Psalms 145:15

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Psalms 145:16

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.