Psalms 104:16

KJV

The trees of the LORD are full [of sap]; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

KJV (with Strong's)

The trees {H6086} of the LORD {H3068} are full {H7646} of sap; the cedars {H730} of Lebanon {H3844}, which he hath planted {H5193};

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI's trees are satisfied -the cedars of the L'vanon, which he has planted.

Berean Standard Bible

The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,

American Standard Version

The trees of Jehovah are filledwith moisture, The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:16 eloquently portrays God's meticulous and abundant provision for His creation, specifically highlighting the majestic cedars of Lebanon. This verse stands as a profound testament to the Lord's continuous involvement in sustaining the natural world, ensuring that even the largest and most enduring elements flourish under His direct, benevolent care. It thereby showcases His sovereign power, unwavering faithfulness, and intricate attention to every detail of His handiwork, inviting awe and wonder at the Creator's sustaining grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise, celebrating God as the glorious Creator and faithful Sustainer of the universe. It systematically unfolds God's creative acts, echoing themes found throughout [the creation account in Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), but from a perspective of ongoing divine activity. The psalm begins with God's cosmic majesty (vv. 1-4), moves to the creation and ordering of the earth (vv. 5-9), then details His provision for water sources (vv. 10-13), and the vegetation that sustains both animals and humans (vv. 14-18). Verse 16, focusing on the "trees of the LORD" and "cedars of Lebanon," is nestled within this section on vegetation, immediately following verses describing God's watering of the mountains and the earth's satisfaction with the fruit of His work. It precedes descriptions of specific plants and their uses, emphasizing that even the grandest and most self-sufficient-seeming elements of nature are entirely dependent on God's direct sustenance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "cedars of Lebanon" were legendary in the ancient Near East, renowned for their immense size, impressive height (often reaching over 100 feet), strength, fragrant wood, and remarkable longevity (some living for thousands of years). They were highly prized for construction, notably used in Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Solomon's Request for Cedars")) and palaces, symbolizing majesty, stability, and enduring power. Lebanon, with its high mountains, received significant rainfall and snowfall, allowing these magnificent trees to thrive. The psalmist's specific mention of these cedars underscores their symbolic weight as the epitome of natural grandeur. By stating that God "hath planted" them, the verse directly attributes their existence and flourishing to divine agency, contrasting with any human effort or naturalistic explanation, and highlighting God's power over even the most formidable aspects of nature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **Divine Ownership and Provision**, asserting that these majestic trees are "the trees of the LORD," signifying His ultimate proprietorship and active care for all creation. The phrase "full [of sap]" (or "satisfied") speaks to His abundant and continuous provision, ensuring vitality. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Majesty and Grandeur of Creation**, particularly through the example of the "cedars of Lebanon." These trees, symbols of strength and beauty, testify to the perfection and awe-inspiring nature of God's handiwork, reflecting His own glory. Finally, it underscores **God's Sustaining Power**, demonstrating that His creative act was not a one-time event but an ongoing process of nourishment and maintenance. Just as He provides for the cedars, He sustains all life, from the smallest creature to the grandest tree, ensuring that all creation thrives under His watchful and benevolent eye, as seen throughout the psalm, for example, in His provision for all living things in [Psalms 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalms 104:27-28 - All Creatures Look to God for Provision").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **trees (Hebrew, _ʻêts'_):** (H6086) From its firmness, this word refers to a tree or wood. In this context, it signifies the general category of vegetation, specifically large, enduring woody plants, which are a testament to God's creative power and ongoing sustenance.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** (H3068) This is the self-Existent or Eternal God, the Jewish national name of God, Jehovah. Its inclusion here establishes divine ownership and agency, emphasizing that these trees are not merely natural phenomena but belong to and are cared for by the sovereign, covenant-keeping God.
* **full (Hebrew, _sâbaʻ'_):** (H7646) This primitive root means "to sate," "to fill to satisfaction," or "to be completely full." When applied to the trees, it conveys that they are abundantly nourished, well-watered, and thriving, lacking nothing essential for robust growth. It speaks to a deep, internal well-being and vitality that comes from being completely supplied by God's provision.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The trees of the LORD are full [of sap];"**: This opening clause declares God's proprietorship over all trees, particularly those that exhibit exceptional vitality and flourishing. The phrase "full [of sap]" (or "satisfied") conveys a state of abundant nourishment and robust health, indicating that these trees are thriving because they are completely and continually supplied by God's provision. It speaks to a deep, internal well-being and life force that originates directly from the Creator, highlighting His generous and comprehensive care for His creation.
* **"the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;"**: This second clause specifies the "trees of the LORD" as the magnificent cedars of Lebanon, using them as a superlative example. The crucial phrase "which he hath planted" underscores God's direct, personal, and intentional involvement in their origin and continued existence. It's not that these cedars merely grew, but that the Almighty Himself established them, ensuring their majestic stature and enduring vitality. This highlights God's power to create and sustain even the grandest and most enduring elements of the natural world, emphasizing His active role in the flourishing of all life.

#### Literary Devices
The psalmist masterfully employs several literary devices in Psalms 104:16 to convey God's magnificent creative and sustaining power. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of robust, thriving trees, particularly the iconic cedars, which evoke a sense of grandeur, strength, and longevity. The phrase "full [of sap]" (or "satisfied") uses **personification**, attributing human-like contentment and satiation to the trees, thereby emphasizing the completeness of God's provision for them as living entities. The specific mention of "cedars of Lebanon" serves as a form of **synecdoche** or **metonymy**, where these most renowned and majestic trees stand in for all of God's magnificent, divinely sustained creation. This specific example also functions as **hyperbole** or **emphasis**, using the most impressive example to underscore the boundless extent of God's care and power—if He sustains these giants, how much more does He sustain all other life? The very structure, moving from the general "trees of the LORD" to the specific "cedars of Lebanon," creates a sense of escalating wonder and focused admiration for God's handiwork.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 104:16 profoundly speaks to the doctrine of *creatio continua*, or God's ongoing act of sustaining His creation. It asserts that God is not merely a distant architect who set the world in motion and then withdrew, but an intimately involved and active Provider who continually nourishes and maintains every aspect of His handiwork. The flourishing of the cedars, therefore, is not merely a natural phenomenon but a direct testament to God's faithfulness and benevolent power. This verse invites us to see the natural world not as a self-sufficient entity, but as a vibrant, dependent witness to God's ceaseless care, reminding us that all life, from the smallest blade of grass to the most towering tree, draws its vitality from Him. It reinforces the biblical truth that all creation exists for His glory and is upheld by His mighty hand.

* [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God Creates the Heavens and the Earth")
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds")
* [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 104:16 calls us to a deeper appreciation of God's sovereign care, not just for humanity, but for the entirety of His creation. Just as the majestic cedars of Lebanon are "full [of sap]" because the Lord Himself "hath planted" them and continually provides for them, so too are we, as His image-bearers, utterly dependent on His divine provision for our physical and spiritual vitality. This verse encourages us to cultivate eyes of faith, recognizing God's active hand in the natural world around us, from the smallest seed to the grandest mountain range. It fosters a sense of trust, knowing that the God who meticulously sustains the mightiest trees will surely provide for our every need, both temporal and eternal. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider our own spiritual health: are we, like the cedars, deeply rooted and "satisfied" by the Lord, drawing our life and flourishing from His presence and His Word? This verse serves as a powerful reminder that true life and flourishing come only from being planted and sustained by the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does observing God's care for creation, as depicted in this verse, deepen our trust in His provision for our own lives?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a deeper appreciation for the natural world as a testament to God's power, wisdom, and ongoing sustenance?**
* **What might it mean for us to be "full [of sap]" or "satisfied" by the Lord in our spiritual lives, and how can we actively seek that nourishment?**

### FAQ
**Why are "cedars of Lebanon" specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "cedars of Lebanon" are specifically mentioned because they were renowned in the ancient world for their exceptional size, strength, longevity, and beauty. They stood as symbols of majesty, power, and enduring life. By highlighting these particular trees, the psalmist emphasizes that even the most formidable and impressive elements of the natural world are not self-sufficient but are directly planted and sustained by God. This choice underscores the immense scope of God's creative and sustaining power, demonstrating that His care extends to the grandest and most seemingly independent parts of creation. Their mention elevates the praise, showcasing God's ability to provide abundantly for even the most magnificent of His works, as also seen in their symbolic use in other biblical texts like [Isaiah 2:13](/isaiah/2-13 "Isaiah 2:13 - Cedars of Lebanon as a Symbol of Pride").

**What does "full [of sap]" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The King James Version's addition of "[of sap]" in brackets is an interpretive clarification. The underlying Hebrew word, _sav’u_ (from the root שָׂבַע, _sava‘_), means "to be satisfied," "to be sated," or "to be filled." In the context of trees, it implies that they are abundantly nourished, well-watered, and thriving, completely supplied with everything necessary for their robust growth and vitality. It's not merely about the physical liquid within them but a comprehensive state of well-being and flourishing that comes directly from God's continuous and bountiful provision. This signifies a deep, internal contentment and life force, indicating that the trees lack nothing because they are fully sustained by the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 104:16, with its depiction of God's sovereign sustenance of creation, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is not merely the one through whom all things were made ([John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Him")), but also the one who actively sustains all things by the word of His power ([Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ Sustains All Things") and [Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")). The "trees of the LORD" being "full [of sap]" because He "hath planted" them points to Christ as the true source of all life and flourishing. He is the living water that truly satisfies ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")), the vine from whom all branches draw their life and fruitfulness ([John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus the True Vine")), and the one who gives abundant life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")). Just as the cedars thrive by divine provision, believers are called to be rooted in Christ, drawing their spiritual "sap" and vitality from Him, enabling them to flourish and bear fruit for God's glory, becoming like the blessed man "planted by streams of water" in [Psalms 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalms 1:3 - The Blessed Man Like a Tree").

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

Numbers 24:6

As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, [and] as cedar trees beside the waters.

Psalms 92:2

To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,

Ezekiel 17:23

In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.

Psalms 29:5

The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.