Psalms 104:24

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

O LORD {H3068}, how manifold {H7231} are thy works {H4639}! in wisdom {H2451} hast thou made {H6213} them all: the earth {H776} is full {H4390} of thy riches {H7075}.

What variety there is in your works, ADONAI! How many [of them there are]! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creations.

How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.

Commentary

Psalm 104:24 is a vibrant declaration of praise that celebrates the immense diversity, intricate design, and boundless provision evident in God's creation. It summarizes the preceding verses of this psalm, which meticulously describe the Lord's creative acts in establishing and sustaining the natural world.

Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It vividly recounts the divine work of creation, often echoing themes found in Genesis 1. The psalm opens by extolling God's majesty and then proceeds to detail His establishment of the heavens, the waters, the earth, and the various forms of life within them. Verse 24 serves as a climactic exclamation, a burst of adoration, marveling at the sheer volume and wisdom displayed in all these creative works, leading to the profound realization that the entire earth is filled with God's glorious "riches."

Key Themes

  • God's Infinite Creativity and Diversity: The phrase "how manifold are thy works!" highlights the astonishing variety and complexity of creation. From the smallest microorganism to the vastness of galaxies, every detail reflects an Artist of limitless imagination and power. This diversity speaks to a God who delights in beauty and intricate design.
  • Divine Wisdom as the Foundation of Creation: The assertion "in wisdom hast thou made them all" emphasizes that creation is not accidental or chaotic but meticulously planned and executed with perfect intelligence. This divine wisdom (Hebrew: chokmah) is evident in the delicate balance of ecosystems, the precise laws of physics, and the intricate biological systems that allow life to flourish. This echoes themes found in Proverbs 3:19, where the LORD founded the earth by wisdom.
  • The Earth's Abundance as God's Riches: "The earth is full of thy riches" speaks to God's incredible generosity and provision. These "riches" (Hebrew: qinyan, referring to possessions or wealth) encompass not only material resources but also the richness of life, beauty, and sustenance that fills every corner of the planet. It signifies that everything on earth belongs to God and is a testament to His overflowing goodness and care for His creation.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "manifold" translates the Hebrew rab (ืจึทื‘), meaning "much, many, great, abundant." It powerfully conveys the vast quantity and immense diversity of God's creative output.
  • "Wisdom" is from the Hebrew chokmah (ื—ึธื›ึฐืžึธื”), a crucial biblical concept implying skill, insight, and understanding, particularly in practical application. It's the divine intelligence that ordered the cosmos.
  • "Riches" comes from qinyan (ืงึดื ึฐื™ึธืŸ), which can refer to possessions, property, or wealth. In this context, it beautifully illustrates that all the bounty and beauty of the earth are God's own acquisitions, displaying His glory and provision.

Related Scriptures

  • Psalm 19:1: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork."
  • Romans 1:20: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead..."
  • Nehemiah 9:6: "Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all..."

Practical Application

This verse profoundly impacts our perspective on the world. It calls us to:

  • Cultivate Awe and Wonder: To truly see the natural world as a testament to God's glorious wisdom and power, fostering a spirit of worship and adoration.
  • Trust in Divine Wisdom: If God's wisdom is sufficient to create and sustain the entire cosmos, we can trust that same wisdom to guide our individual lives and circumstances.
  • Practice Stewardship: Recognizing that the earth and its "riches" belong to God (as seen in Psalm 24:1), we are called to be responsible stewards of creation, caring for it as a reflection of His generosity. This stewardship is a theme found in Genesis 2:15, where Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
  • Live in Gratitude: The abundance we experience, from breathable air to bountiful harvests, is a direct manifestation of God's overflowing provision, prompting a life of thanksgiving.
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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 10:12

    He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

  • Psalms 40:5

    Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works [which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.

  • Romans 11:33

    ยถ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

  • Psalms 50:10

    For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

  • Psalms 50:12

    If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

  • Ephesians 3:10

    To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly [places] might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

  • Psalms 107:31

    Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men!