Psalms 104:21

The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.

The young lions {H3715} roar {H7580} after their prey {H2964}, and seek {H1245} their meat {H400} from God {H410}.

The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.

The young lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.

The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.

Commentary

Psalms 104:21 offers a vivid glimpse into God's meticulous care for His creation, even for the wild and untamed aspects of the animal kingdom. This verse, nestled within a psalm celebrating the Creator's magnificent works, highlights the profound truth that all life ultimately depends on divine provision.

Context

Psalm 104 is a glorious hymn praising God as the majestic Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It systematically details God's ongoing work in the natural world, from establishing the heavens and earth to providing water, light, and habitat for all living things. Verses 10-30 specifically focus on how God provides for the needs of various creatures. Verse 21 fits perfectly within this narrative, showcasing how even powerful predators like young lions are part of God's intricate design and rely on His benevolent hand for their daily sustenance.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: The central message is that God is the ultimate provider for all living creatures. Even the seemingly self-sufficient young lions, in their pursuit of prey, are implicitly "seeking their meat from God." This verse beautifully illustrates God's universal provision for all living creatures, a theme echoed in Psalm 145:15-16.
  • God's Sovereignty over Nature: This verse underscores God's complete control and oversight of the natural world, including its wild and untamed inhabitants. The instinctual hunt of the lion is not outside God's order but operates within His created design.
  • Universal Dependence: It highlights that all life, from the smallest creature to the fiercest predator, is utterly dependent on the Creator for its existence and sustenance. Nothing in creation is truly independent of its Maker.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "seek" in this verse is baqash (בָּקַשׁ), which implies a strong, earnest seeking or requesting. This suggests that the lions' instinctual roar and pursuit of prey is, in a theological sense, an earnest plea to their Creator for daily provision. The word for "meat" (okel, ΧΦΉΧ›ΦΆΧœ) simply means "food" or "sustenance," emphasizing the basic necessity provided by God.

Practical Application

This verse offers a powerful lesson for humanity. If God meticulously provides for wild animals, even predators, how much more will He care for His human children? This truth encourages us to place our trust and reliance on God for our daily needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It reminds us that even in our active pursuit of livelihood and success, our ultimate sustenance and provision come from Him. It calls for a spirit of gratitude and dependence, acknowledging God's hand in every aspect of our lives. If God feeds the lions, He will surely feed us, a truth Jesus Himself taught in Matthew 6:26 regarding the birds of the air.

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Cross-References

  • Job 38:39

    Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

  • Joel 1:20

    The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

  • Psalms 34:10

    The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good [thing].

  • Joel 2:22

    Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

  • Job 38:41

    Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

  • Isaiah 31:4

    For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, [he] will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

  • Psalms 145:15

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