Psalms 104:25

KJV

[So is] this great and wide sea, wherein [are] things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.

KJV (with Strong's)

So is this great {H1419} and wide {H7342}{H3027} sea {H3220}, wherein are things creeping {H7431} innumerable {H4557}, both small {H6996} and great {H1419} beasts {H2416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Look at the sea, so great, so wide! It teems with countless creatures, living beings, both large and small.

Berean Standard Bible

Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small.

American Standard Version

Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 104:25 presents a breathtaking panorama of the marine world, celebrating the immense scale and vibrant biodiversity of the "great and wide sea." This verse, embedded within a grand hymn to creation, underscores the psalmist's profound awe at the intricate design and boundless abundance of creatures, from the smallest "things creeping innumerable" to the "great beasts," all thriving under God's meticulous and sovereign providence. It serves as a powerful testament to the Creator's immeasurable wisdom, power, and continuous care extending to every corner of His cosmos, including environments largely hidden from human sight.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 104 is a magnificent hymn of creation, often recognized for its thematic parallels with the creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). The psalm systematically unfolds God's creative work, beginning with His majesty and the establishment of light and the heavens ([Psalms 104:1-4](/psalms/104-1-4 "Psalms 104:1-4 - God's Majesty in Creation")), progressing to the earth's foundations, the water cycle, and the provision for land and vegetation ([Psalms 104:5-18](/psalms/104-5-18 "Psalms 104:5-18 - Earth's Foundations and Provision")). It then moves to the ordering of time and the sustenance of all living creatures, including humans and animals ([Psalms 104:19-23](/psalms/104-19-23 "Psalms 104:19-23 - Order of Time and Sustenance of Life")). Verse 25 marks a pivotal transition, shifting focus to the marine environment as yet another realm where God's creative genius and sustaining power are abundantly evident, completing the panoramic view of His dominion over all ecosystems. The psalm culminates in a doxology, emphasizing God's enduring glory and the joy of His creation ([Psalms 104:31-35](/psalms/104-31-35 "Psalms 104:31-35 - God's Enduring Glory")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For ancient Israelites, the sea, particularly the Mediterranean, was a powerful, often mysterious, and sometimes fearsome entity. Unlike the predictable rhythms of agriculture that governed much of their lives, the sea was unpredictable, a realm of unknown depths, powerful storms, and unseen creatures. In many ancient Near Eastern mythologies, the sea was often personified as a chaotic, primordial force that had to be subdued by a deity (e.g., Baal's conflict with Yam). However, in the biblical worldview, the sea is presented not as a chaotic force to be battled, but as a creation of Yahweh, fully under His sovereign control and filled with life by His design. This verse, therefore, serves as a profound theological statement, asserting God's absolute mastery over even the most untamed and mysterious parts of the natural world, a stark contrast to the polytheistic cosmologies of surrounding cultures. It reflects a people who, while perhaps not seafaring, understood the immense power and mystery of the ocean and attributed its order and life to their singular God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 104 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty in Creation**, demonstrating that God's meticulous design and control extend to every hidden corner of the cosmos, including the vast, unseen depths of the oceans. No creature, however small or great, exists outside His knowledge or care. Secondly, it highlights the **Abundance and Diversity of Life**, marveling at the sheer quantity and variety of creatures God has brought into existence, from "things creeping innumerable" to "great beasts." This rich biodiversity is a testament to God's inexhaustible creativity and boundless imagination. Lastly, it implicitly points to God's **Continuous Provision and Sustenance**. The thriving of such a vast and complex marine ecosystem implies God's ongoing, active involvement in sustaining all its inhabitants, a theme explicitly stated elsewhere in the psalm regarding all living things, which look to God for their food in due season ([Psalms 104:27-28](/psalms/104-27-28 "Psalms 104:27-28 - God Provides for All Creatures")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** This term (H3220) refers to a large body of water, typically the ocean. In the context of "great and wide," it denotes the vast, deep, and often mysterious expanse of the ocean. The psalmist presents this realm, which was often viewed with awe and even fear in ancient cultures, as entirely subject to God's creative power and ongoing sustenance, a testament to His comprehensive dominion over all creation, even its most untamed parts.
* **Things creeping (Hebrew, _remes'_):** This word (H7431) refers to a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal, often encompassing swarming, smaller creatures that move low to the ground or are numerous. In the marine context, it signifies countless small marine organisms, invertebrates, and fish that teem in the waters. The accompanying descriptor "innumerable" (H4557, _miçpâr_ - "without number") emphasizes the unfathomable quantity and diversity of these smaller forms of life, highlighting God's boundless creativity even in the minute and seemingly insignificant.
* **Beasts (Hebrew, _chay'_):** This word (H2416) refers to living things or animals. When combined with "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_), it specifically points to the large marine animals, such as whales, large fish, or other significant sea creatures. This phrase, alongside "things creeping" (small), forms a merism, encompassing the entire spectrum of marine life from the smallest to the largest, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of God's creative work and sustaining power in the sea.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[So is] this great and wide sea":** This opening phrase immediately draws attention to the immense scale, profound mystery, and boundless expanse of the ocean. The descriptors "great" (H1419, _gâdôwl_) and "wide" (H7342, _râchâb_, often linked with H3027, _yâd_, implying an outstretched hand or breadth) emphasize its vastness, depth, and the unknown wonders it holds. This sets the stage for a revelation of God's comprehensive power in this immense domain, implying that just as God has ordered the land and sky, so too has He ordered the sea, filling it with purpose and life.
* **"wherein [are] things creeping innumerable":** This clause focuses on the teeming abundance of smaller life forms within the sea. The phrase "things creeping" (H7431, _remes_) denotes the swarming, often unseen, multitude of smaller marine organisms. The word "innumerable" (H4557, _miçpâr_, literally "without number") conveys the psalmist's awe at the sheer quantity and variety of these creatures, many of which would have been unseen or unknown to ancient observers. It speaks to God's infinite creativity and His ability to fill even the most expansive and seemingly empty spaces with vibrant, countless forms of life.
* **"both small and great beasts":** This concluding phrase completes the picture of marine biodiversity by encompassing the entire range of sea creatures. "Small" (H6996, _qâṭân_) refers back to the "things creeping," while "great beasts" (H1419, _gâdôwl_ and H2416, _chay_) introduces the larger, more imposing inhabitants of the deep. This pairing forms a merism, emphasizing that God's creative hand extends to every size and type of creature, from the microscopic to the colossal, all existing and thriving under His sovereign care and continuous provision.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 104:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine creativity and sovereignty. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid picture of the "great and wide sea" teeming with life, from the "innumerable" "things creeping" to the "great beasts." This rich sensory description invites the reader to marvel at the unseen wonders of the ocean and God's artistry within it. The phrase "innumerable" functions as **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used not to mislead, but to emphasize the unfathomable abundance and diversity of life, underscoring God's boundless creativity. Furthermore, the pairing of "small" (implied in "things creeping") and "great beasts" forms a **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent the whole, thus signifying that God's creative power encompasses every single creature in the sea, regardless of size or perceived importance. The verse itself contributes to the overall **Doxology** of Psalm 104, serving as a profound expression of praise and wonder at God's majestic and comprehensive works in creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 104:25 profoundly testifies to God's comprehensive sovereignty and meticulous care over all creation. It reveals a God who is not only powerful enough to establish the heavens and the earth, but also intimately involved in filling the deepest, most mysterious parts of His world with an astonishing array of life. This verse challenges any notion of a distant or disengaged Creator, instead presenting a God who actively sustains the countless creatures of the sea, ensuring their existence and flourishing. It underscores the biblical truth that all life, from the smallest microorganism to the largest marine mammal, depends entirely on God's ongoing provision and wisdom. The psalmist's awe at the sea's biodiversity should evoke a similar sense of wonder in us, leading to worship and a deeper appreciation for the Creator's inexhaustible imagination and boundless love for His handiwork.

* [Genesis 1:20-21](/genesis/1-20-21 "Genesis 1:20-21 - God Creates Sea Creatures and Birds")
* [Job 41:1-34](/job/41-1-34 "Job 41 - God's Sovereignty Over Leviathan")
* [Psalm 8:6-8](/psalms/8-6-8 "Psalm 8:6-8 - Man's Dominion Over Creation, Including Sea Creatures")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse beckons us to pause and contemplate the sheer magnitude of God's creative genius, particularly as it extends to the vast, often unseen, depths of the ocean. In a world increasingly disconnected from the natural environment, Psalms 104:25 serves as a powerful reminder of the intricate beauty and boundless diversity that God has woven into the fabric of creation. It should inspire a profound sense of awe and humility, recognizing that if God meticulously cares for "things creeping innumerable" and "great beasts" in the sea, how much more does He care for us, His image-bearers? This understanding should cultivate a deeper trust in His provision for our own lives, knowing that the God who sustains entire ecosystems also attends to our every need. Furthermore, it calls us to a greater sense of stewardship for our planet's oceans and all its inhabitants, recognizing them as divinely designed habitats that reflect God's glory and require our responsible care and protection, ensuring that future generations can also marvel at God's handiwork in the deep.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the "great and wide sea" symbolize about God's power, wisdom, and the extent of His dominion?**
* **How does the description of "innumerable" creatures in the sea impact your understanding of God's boundless creativity and attention to detail?**
* **If God meticulously cares for the creatures of the sea, how does that inform your trust in His personal care and provision for your own life?**
* **What practical steps can you take to appreciate or care for God's marine creation, reflecting His own value for it?**

### FAQ

**What makes the sea "great and wide" in this context, beyond its physical dimensions?**

Answer: Beyond its literal vastness, the "great and wide sea" in Psalms 104:25 represents a realm of profound mystery, immense power, and unfathomable depth. For ancient cultures, the ocean was largely unexplored and unpredictable, often associated with chaotic forces or unknown dangers. By describing it as "great and wide," the psalmist emphasizes its immense scale and the unfathomable life it contains, all of which are entirely under God's sovereign control. It highlights that God's dominion is not limited to the visible or known, but extends to the most mysterious and seemingly untamed parts of His creation, showcasing His boundless power, wisdom, and meticulous ordering of all things.

**What is the significance of "innumerable" creatures in the sea?**

Answer: The term "innumerable" (Hebrew: _ein mispar_, "without number") is a hyperbole that emphasizes the astonishing abundance and diversity of life God has placed in the oceans. It speaks to God's inexhaustible creativity and His capacity to fill even the most expansive environments with countless forms of life, from the smallest microorganisms to the largest marine mammals. This countless variety serves as a powerful testament to God's infinite imagination and His meticulous attention to detail in sustaining every single creature. It reinforces the theme of His comprehensive provision for all living things, as seen throughout [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - A Hymn of Creation"), where every creature looks to God for its sustenance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 104:25 directly celebrates God the Father as Creator, its profound truths find their ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals Christ as the very agent of creation, through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Therefore, the "great and wide sea" and its "innumerable" creatures were brought into being by Him and for His glory. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrates His divine sovereignty over creation, including the sea, in His earthly ministry. He calms a raging storm with a mere word, causing the wind and waves to obey Him ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")), and He walks on water, defying natural laws and asserting His mastery over the very elements ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")). These acts are not merely miracles but powerful affirmations of His identity as the Creator and Sustainer, the very one who designed and upholds the marine world described in Psalms 104:25. His redemptive work also extends to all creation, promising a future where creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God ([Romans 8:21](/romans/8-21 "Romans 8:21 - Creation's Hope for Redemption")), thereby fulfilling the divine purpose for which the sea and all its creatures were made.

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

Psalms 69:34

Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Psalms 95:4

In his hand [are] the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills [is] his also.

Psalms 95:5

The sea [is] his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry [land].

Acts 28:5

And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Deuteronomy 33:14

And for the precious fruits [brought forth] by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

Deuteronomy 33:16

And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and [for] the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let [the blessing] come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him [that was] separated from his brethren.