Psalms 104:21

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:21 offers a profound glimpse into the universal dependence of creation on its Creator, depicting young lions roaring in the wilderness not merely for their prey, but in a divinely ordained act of seeking their sustenance directly from God. This striking image, set within a magnificent hymn celebrating God's ongoing work as Creator and Sustainer, powerfully illustrates the meticulous and benevolent providence that extends even to the most powerful and seemingly self-sufficient creatures. It underscores the theological truth that God's sovereignty encompasses every facet of the natural world, orchestrating even the primal instincts of predators to fulfill His purposes and demonstrate His unwavering care for all He has made.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 104 stands as a breathtaking hymn of praise, meticulously detailing Yahweh's majesty as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos. It echoes the grand narrative of creation found in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"), systematically unfolding God's creative and sustaining acts from the heavens (vv. 1-4) to the earth, its waters (vv. 5-9), and the intricate provision for all life, both human and animal (vv. 10-18). Verses 19-30 specifically illuminate God's meticulous care for various creatures, highlighting the divine orchestration of day and night, and the cyclical rhythm of life and death. Within this section, verse 21, with its depiction of young lions, is strategically placed (vv. 20-23) to describe the nocturnal activities of wild animals. It emphasizes that even in their predatory pursuits, these creatures operate within God's established order and are utterly dependent on His provision. This particular image serves as a powerful testament to God's all-encompassing care, extending even to the wild and often feared aspects of His creation, demonstrating His active involvement in every detail of the natural world.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, lions were formidable apex predators, symbolizing both raw power and inherent danger, frequently encountered in the wilderness regions. The psalmist's reference to "young lions" (כְּפִירִים, _kᵉphîyrîm'_) specifically highlights their vigor, strength, and active pursuit of food, contrasting with older, less active lions. Their distinctive roar and nocturnal hunting habits were well-known. The wilderness, far from being an empty void, was a vibrant, often untamed ecosystem, yet the psalmist asserts God's absolute sovereign control even over this wild domain. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience intimately familiar with the sounds and realities of the natural world surrounding them, reinforcing the profound idea that even the most fearsome creatures are not outside the Creator's benevolent oversight. This understanding would have provided immense comfort and assurance, knowing that the same God who meticulously provides for the wild beasts also cares for His covenant people, mirroring the broader biblical narrative of [God's miraculous provision for Israel in the wilderness](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna in the Wilderness").

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 104:21 powerfully contributes to several overarching theological themes central to Psalm 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it profoundly underscores **Divine Provision**, asserting that God is the ultimate and indispensable source of sustenance for all life. Even the seemingly self-sufficient and powerful predators are depicted as "seeking their meat from God," highlighting a universal and radical dependence on the Creator. This theme is pervasive throughout the Psalms, as seen in passages like [Psalm 145:15-16](/psalms/145-15 "Psalm 145:15-16 - God's Universal Provision"), which declares that God opens His hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Sovereignty over Nature**. The instinctual hunt of the lion is not random chaos but operates entirely within God's designed and maintained order, demonstrating His complete control and meticulous oversight of the natural world, including its wild and untamed inhabitants. Thirdly, it vividly illustrates **Universal Dependence**, conveying the profound truth that all creation, from the smallest insect to the fiercest predator, is utterly reliant on the Creator for its very existence, its sustenance, and the fulfillment of its natural instincts. This dependence is not a sign of weakness but a powerful testament to the Creator's ongoing, active, and intimate involvement in His world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Young lions (Hebrew, _kᵉphîyr'_):** This term (H3715, _kᵉphîyr_) specifically refers to the stronger, more vigorous lions, often those actively engaged in hunting. It emphasizes their power, predatory nature, and formidable presence, making the subsequent statement that they "seek their meat from God" all the more striking. It highlights that even the most formidable and seemingly independent creatures are not self-sufficient but are utterly dependent on their Creator for their very survival and sustenance.
* **Roar (Hebrew, _shâʼag'_):** This verb (H7580, _shâʼag_) describes the deep, resonant, and often terrifying sound made by lions, typically associated with hunting, asserting dominance, or communicating within their pride. In this context, it signifies their active pursuit of prey and their primal expression of hunger. The psalmist elevates this instinctive, powerful sound to a form of "seeking" from God, implying that even their instinctive cries for food are heard and answered by the divine Provider, demonstrating God's intimate awareness of and response to the needs of His creation.
* **Seek (Hebrew, _bâqash'_):** This word (H1245, _bâqash_) is a primitive root implying an earnest, diligent, and often persistent search or request. While the lions are physically seeking prey, the psalmist attributes this action, in a profound theological sense, to a "seeking from God." This anthropomorphic application suggests that the very instinct driving the lions is divinely implanted, and that their success in finding food is a direct result of God's benevolent provision, rather than merely their own strength, cunning, or random chance. It underscores the active role of God in sustaining all life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The young lions roar after their prey":** This initial clause vividly paints a picture of the lions' natural, instinctual hunting behavior. The "roaring" is not merely a sound but a powerful expression of their hunger, their predatory intent, and their active pursuit of food. It sets the stage by depicting a scene of wild, untamed nature, governed by primal instinct and the relentless struggle for survival. This image emphasizes the inherent power, ferocity, and apparent independence of these creatures in their natural habitat, preparing the reader for the surprising theological twist that follows.
* **"and seek their meat from God":** This second clause introduces a profound and transformative theological interpretation of the lions' actions. It transcends their physical hunt, elevating it into a spiritual act of absolute dependence. Despite their immense strength and ferocity, the lions are portrayed as ultimately reliant on God for their sustenance ("meat" or food). The "seeking from God" implies that their success in finding prey is neither accidental nor solely due to their own efforts, but a direct and deliberate result of God's benevolent and meticulous provision. This statement profoundly underscores God's comprehensive care for all creation, even for those creatures that seem to operate purely on instinct and raw power, revealing His active involvement in sustaining every living thing.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 104:21 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominently featured, attributing the human action of "seeking from God" to the young lions. While lions physically seek prey, the psalmist interprets this instinctual behavior as a form of appeal to their Creator, thus elevating their natural actions to a theological plane. This device powerfully highlights God's active and intimate involvement in every aspect of creation, implying a divine response to the needs of even the wild beasts. **Imagery** is used with striking effect, creating a vivid mental picture of roaring lions in the hunt, appealing directly to the reader's senses and imagination. This concrete image makes the abstract concept of divine provision tangible and deeply relatable. Furthermore, the verse presents a compelling **Paradox**: the fierce, independent predator is simultaneously portrayed as utterly dependent on a higher power. This juxtaposition powerfully emphasizes the psalmist's central theme of universal reliance on God, demonstrating that even the most powerful creatures are not self-sufficient. Finally, the verse functions as a potent **Metaphor** for all of creation's dependence, using the powerful lion to represent the broader truth that all life, regardless of its apparent self-sufficiency, ultimately draws its sustenance and very existence from the divine hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a powerful theological anchor, affirming God's meticulous and universal provision for all life. It challenges any notion of a deistic God who merely creates and then withdraws, instead presenting a God who is intimately involved in the daily sustenance of His creation, down to the feeding of wild predators. This truth underscores the radical dependence of all creatures on their Maker, reminding humanity that our own efforts, while necessary and commanded, are ultimately blessed and sustained by divine grace. If God so carefully provides for the needs of lions, creatures often associated with danger, power, and wildness, how much more will He attend to the needs of His human children, whom He has created in His image and with whom He has entered into a sacred covenant? This understanding should cultivate a deep sense of trust, profound gratitude, and genuine humility, recognizing God's sovereign hand in every provision, whether it comes through our diligent labor or through unexpected blessings.

* [Psalm 145:15-16](/psalms/145-15 "Psalm 145:15-16 - God's Universal Provision")
* [Job 38:39-41](/job/38-39 "Job 38:39-41 - God's Care for Wild Animals")
* [Matthew 6:26](/matthew/6-26 "Matthew 6:26 - God Feeds the Birds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 104:21 offers a profound spiritual lesson for contemporary believers: if God meticulously provides for the wild and untamed aspects of His creation, even for powerful predators like young lions, how much more will He care for His human children, whom He loves deeply and has redeemed at immense cost? This verse calls us to cultivate a deep and abiding trust in God's daily provision, not just for our physical needs, but for every aspect of our lives—emotional, spiritual, relational, and vocational. It reminds us that even in our most active pursuits, diligent endeavors, and seemingly independent achievements, our ultimate sustenance, success, and well-being flow directly from His benevolent hand. This perspective should lead to a posture of profound gratitude, acknowledging God's sovereignty in every meal, every opportunity, every breath, and every blessing. It challenges us to release anxieties about the future, knowing that the faithful God who feeds the lions will surely sustain us, inviting us to live in a state of confident, dependent faith rather than anxious self-reliance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the image of lions "seeking their meat from God" challenge our assumptions about self-sufficiency and divine provision in our own lives?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently struggling to trust God for provision, and how might the truth of this verse encourage and strengthen your faith?**
* **How can consciously acknowledging God's meticulous provision for all creation deepen your personal sense of gratitude and inspire more profound worship?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to live more consciously in dependence on God for your daily needs, rather than relying solely on your own efforts or anxieties?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly "provide" for predators like lions, given their violent nature and the suffering they inflict on prey?**

Answer: Yes, theologically speaking, the Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate provider for all living creatures, including predators. The psalmist's point in [Psalms 104:21](/psalms/104-21 "Psalms 104:21 - God Provides for Lions") is that the lions' instinctual hunt and their success in finding prey are not outside of God's sovereign design but are part of His established order for the natural world. Their "roaring after their prey" and "seeking their meat from God" implies that even their predatory actions are divinely orchestrated and sustained. This does not mean God approves of violence in a moral sense, but rather that He maintains the intricate balance of the ecosystem He created, where the life cycle of some creatures depends on the consumption of others. This is further emphasized in [Job 38:39-41](/job/38-39 "Job 38:39-41 - God's Care for Wild Animals"), where God highlights His care for the lion and the raven, asking rhetorically if it is by human provision that they find their food. It speaks to God's comprehensive and active involvement in sustaining all forms of life, even those aspects that might seem harsh or difficult from a human perspective, revealing His wisdom in maintaining the created order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 104:21 speaks profoundly of God's general providence over creation, its themes find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the agent through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator")), but also the one who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")), demonstrating His ongoing, active sustenance of creation. Just as the young lions instinctively seek their meat from God for physical sustenance, all of creation, and especially humanity, finds its true and eternal sustenance, purpose, and spiritual life in Christ. He is the "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), providing spiritual nourishment that transcends mere physical hunger and satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul. Furthermore, the very Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), willingly became "prey" for humanity's redemption, demonstrating a divine provision far greater than any physical sustenance. In Christ, God's meticulous care extends beyond physical survival to offer eternal life, peace, and reconciliation, offering Himself as the ultimate provision for our deepest spiritual hunger and restoring humanity to its rightful place in God's created and redeemed order.

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 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.