Psalms 104:27

These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season.

These wait {H7663} all upon thee; that thou mayest give {H5414} them their meat {H400} in due season {H6256}.

All of them look to you to give them their food when they need it.

All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.

These wait all for thee, That thou mayest give them their food in due season.

Commentary

Psalms 104:27 (KJV) offers a profound glimpse into God's meticulous care for all creation, highlighting His role as the ultimate Provider. The verse states, "These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give [them] their meat in due season." This passage underscores the universal dependence of living things on their Creator for sustenance and survival.

Context of Psalms 104:27

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It eloquently describes God's work in creation, from the heavens and the earth to the waters, vegetation, and various forms of animal life. The psalm paints a vivid picture of a world meticulously ordered and maintained by divine power. Verses 25 and 26 describe the vastness of the sea and its teeming life, including great whales, setting the stage for verse 27, which speaks to the reliance of all these creatures on God for their daily needs. It’s a poetic echo of the divine order described in Genesis 1, emphasizing God's ongoing involvement in His creation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Provision: The most prominent theme is God as the benevolent provider. He doesn't just create life; He actively sustains it. "Thou mayest give them their meat" signifies His continuous, active role in feeding and caring for every living creature, from the smallest insect to the largest marine animal.
  • Universal Dependence: The phrase "These wait all upon thee" emphasizes that all living beings, without exception, are utterly dependent on God for their existence and well-being. This highlights God's absolute sovereignty and the complete reliance of creation upon Him.
  • God's Perfect Timing: "In due season" speaks to God's wisdom and perfect timing. He provides not just what is needed, but also when it is needed. This demonstrates His orderly governance of the natural world, ensuring that resources are available at the appropriate time for the flourishing of life. This echoes the sentiment found in Ecclesiastes 3:1, that "To every thing there is a season."

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version's use of the word "meat" in this verse is important to understand. In 17th-century English, "meat" (from Old English mete) broadly referred to food or sustenance in general, not specifically animal flesh as it primarily does today. Therefore, "their meat in due season" means their food or nourishment provided at the proper time, encompassing all the various diets of the creatures mentioned throughout Psalm 104.

Practical Application and Reflection

Psalms 104:27 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today. If God so meticulously cares for the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, how much more will He care for humanity, who are made in His image? This verse encourages us to cultivate a deep sense of trust and patience in God's provision for our own lives, both physical and spiritual. Just as animals instinctively wait upon their Creator, we too are called to depend on Him for our daily needs, trusting in His perfect timing and boundless generosity. It reminds us that our heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask, as highlighted by Jesus in Matthew 6:26. This understanding should lead to worship, gratitude, and a peaceful assurance that God faithfully sustains all that He has made.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 147:9

    He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.

  • Psalms 136:25

    Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Job 38:41

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

  • Luke 12:24

    Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

  • Luke 12:28

    If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more [will he clothe] you, O ye of little faith?

  • Psalms 145:15

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

  • Psalms 145:16

    Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.