Psalms 104:8

KJV

They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.

KJV (with Strong's)

They go up {H5927} by the mountains {H2022}; they go down {H3381} by the valleys {H1237} unto the place {H4725} which {H2088} thou hast founded {H3245} for them.

Complete Jewish Bible

flowing over hills, pouring into valleys, down to the place you had fixed for them.

Berean Standard Bible

the mountains rose and the valleys sank to the place You assigned for them—

American Standard Version

(The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 104:8 poetically illustrates God's sovereign power and meticulous design in shaping the earth's topography. Following His command for the primordial waters to recede, the verse describes these waters dynamically ascending by newly formed mountains and descending into carved-out valleys, ultimately settling into the precise locations God had established for them. This imagery celebrates the divine wisdom that brings ordered stability and purpose to the physical world, transforming a chaotic expanse into a habitable and functional environment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, often paralleled with the creation account in [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Verses 6-7 describe the earth initially being covered by deep waters, which God then rebukes, causing them to flee. Verse 8, therefore, directly continues this narrative, explaining *how* the waters receded and settled into their appointed places. The "they" in this verse unequivocally refers to these waters. The psalm then proceeds to describe the intricate hydrological cycle, the provision for all living creatures, and the ongoing sustenance of the natural world, all flowing from God's initial creative acts of ordering and establishing. The verse highlights the transition from a watery chaos to a structured, functional world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, creation myths often depicted a struggle between a high god and chaotic primordial waters or sea monsters. The Israelite understanding, as reflected in Psalm 104, stands in stark contrast: Yahweh effortlessly brings order out of the deep, not through battle, but through a powerful command. This underscores His absolute sovereignty and unique status as the sole Creator. The formation of mountains and valleys was a visible testament to this power, providing the necessary topographical features for rivers, lakes, and oceans, which were vital for life in the arid ancient world. Understanding God as the one who "founded" these features for the waters would have instilled a profound sense of security and trust in His ongoing provision and control over the natural forces that directly impacted their daily lives.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 104 and biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Design and Order**. The shaping of mountains and valleys is not random but a precise act of God, "founded for them," indicating a purposeful and intelligent blueprint for the earth's hydrological system and ecosystems. This speaks to God's meticulous planning and execution in forming a world perfectly suited for life, as seen throughout [Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account"). Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Sovereignty over Nature**. The waters, a powerful and often destructive force, are depicted as completely subservient to God's command, moving and settling according to His will. This theme of God's absolute control over natural elements is a recurring motif, also evident in passages like [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8 "Job 38:8-11 - God's Questions to Job about the Sea's Boundaries") where God challenges Job regarding the boundaries of the sea. Finally, the verse inspires **Praise for the Creator**. By observing the grand scale and intricate detail of the earth's topography, the psalmist (and the reader) is led to awe and worship for the immense wisdom, power, and benevolence of God, who not only creates but also sustains His creation with ongoing care, as the rest of [Psalm 104](/psalms/104 "Psalm 104 - A Hymn to the Creator") elaborates.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mountains (Hebrew, _harim'_):** This plural noun refers to the elevated landforms that rise prominently from the earth's surface. In the context of creation, "mountains" signify stability, grandeur, and often, places of divine encounter or revelation. Here, they represent the high ground from which the waters receded, or perhaps, the elevated regions that channel water flow. Their formation is attributed to God's direct action.
* **Valleys (Hebrew, _b'qa'ot'_):** This plural noun denotes the low-lying areas or depressions between mountains or hills. "Valleys" serve as natural channels for water flow and collection. The mention of waters "going down by the valleys" highlights the natural hydrological process God established, where water seeks the lowest points, forming rivers and collecting in basins.
* **Founded (Hebrew, _yasad'_):** This verb is strong and significant, meaning "to lay a foundation," "to establish," or "to appoint." It implies a deliberate, purposeful act of creation and ordering, not a random occurrence. When applied to God, it emphasizes His role as the ultimate architect and builder, who meticulously establishes the very structure and boundaries of the earth, ensuring its stability and functionality. The "place which thou hast founded for them" refers to the divinely appointed basins, riverbeds, and ocean depths where the waters are meant to reside.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They go up by the mountains;":** This clause describes the dynamic movement of the waters. As God's rebuke (from [Psalm 104:7](/psalms/104-7 "Psalm 104:7 - The Waters Flee at God's Rebuke")) causes the waters to recede, they effectively "go up" in relation to the emerging landmasses, perhaps indicating the initial carving out of elevated regions, or the process of evaporation and precipitation that lifts water into the atmosphere, later to fall on mountains. It speaks to the comprehensive re-ordering of the global hydrology.
* **"they go down by the valleys":** This phrase complements the previous one, illustrating the downward flow of the waters into the newly formed depressions and channels. As the dry land appears, the vast expanse of water begins to collect in lower areas, forming rivers, lakes, and eventually the oceans. This depicts the establishment of the natural water cycle and the creation of the earth's drainage systems.
* **"unto the place which thou hast founded for them.":** This concluding clause reveals the ultimate purpose and divine intention behind the water's movement. The "place" refers to the permanent, designated reservoirs for water—the oceans, seas, and deep basins. The crucial phrase "which thou hast founded for them" emphasizes that these locations are not accidental but are divinely ordained and established with precision and foresight, ensuring the earth's habitability and the ongoing function of its ecosystems.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 104:8 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message. **Personification** is evident in the description of the waters as active agents that "go up" and "go down," attributing human-like movement and volition to an inanimate element. This imbues the natural world with a sense of responsiveness to divine command. The verse also utilizes **Imagery**, painting a vivid picture of the earth's dramatic transformation as waters recede and topographical features emerge, allowing the reader to visualize the dynamic process. There is an implicit **Antithetical Parallelism** between "mountains" and "valleys," highlighting the contrasting yet complementary features of the earth's landscape, both of which are shaped by divine decree. Finally, the phrase "unto the place which **thou** hast founded for them" uses **Anthropomorphism**, attributing the architectural action of "founding" to God, emphasizing His role as the master builder and designer of the cosmos.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly connects to the biblical understanding of God as the ultimate Creator and Sustainer, whose wisdom is intricately woven into the fabric of the cosmos. It highlights that the physical world, with its grand and seemingly immutable features like mountains and valleys, is not a product of chance or chaotic forces, but the result of deliberate divine design and powerful decree. The ordering of the waters, a force both life-giving and potentially destructive, into their appointed places speaks to God's ability to bring perfect order out of primordial chaos, establishing boundaries and systems that ensure the ongoing flourishing of life. This act of "founding" implies a permanent establishment, assuring the stability and reliability of the natural world, which in turn reflects the unchanging character and faithfulness of its Creator. It invites humanity to recognize God's hand in every aspect of creation and to trust in His sovereign control over all things, both great and small.

* [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9 "God Gathers the Waters and Reveals Dry Land")
* [Job 38:8-11](/job/38-8 "God's Sovereignty Over the Sea and Its Boundaries")
* [Psalm 24:2](/psalms/24-2 "God Founded the Earth Upon the Seas")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 104:8 invites us to look at the majestic and intricate natural world with eyes of wonder and worship, recognizing the precise and powerful hand of God in every mountain peak and valley floor. It reminds us that the earth's topography, with its seemingly eternal features, is not a random occurrence but a divinely "founded" and ordered system. This perspective fosters a deep appreciation for the divine wisdom that undergirds creation, reminding us that even the most powerful natural forces operate within the boundaries and purposes God has set. For believers, this truth cultivates profound trust in God's sovereign control over all things. If He meticulously orders the vast and complex physical world, establishing precise "places" for the waters, how much more does He meticulously care for His people and their lives, guiding them to the "place which thou hast founded for them" in His divine plan? This encourages us to find peace in His overarching design, even amidst life's uncertainties, and to embrace our role as stewards of this wonderfully ordered creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does observing the natural world, particularly its mountains and valleys, deepen your appreciation for God's wisdom and power as the ultimate Designer?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust God's "founding" and ordering, believing that He has a purpose and a "place" for you, even when circumstances seem chaotic or uncertain?**
* **Considering that God "founded" the earth for the waters, what is our responsibility as stewards of this divinely ordered creation, and how can we honor His design in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the "they" referring to in this verse?**

Answer: The "they" in Psalms 104:8 refers to the primordial waters that covered the earth, as described in the preceding verses. [Psalm 104:6](/psalms/104-6 "Psalm 104:6 - The Deep Covered the Earth") states, "Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains." Following God's rebuke in [Psalm 104:7](/psalms/104-7 "Psalm 104:7 - The Waters Flee at God's Rebuke"), these waters are depicted as fleeing and settling into the geographical features God established. Thus, "they go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys" describes the dynamic movement of these waters as they recede and find their permanent, divinely appointed places.

**Does this verse describe a one-time event or an ongoing process?**

Answer: Psalms 104:8 primarily describes the initial, foundational act of God shaping the earth's topography after the primordial waters receded, establishing the "place which thou hast founded for them." This is a foundational event in creation, akin to the dry land appearing in [Genesis 1:9-10](/genesis/1-9 "Genesis 1:9-10 - God Gathers the Waters and Reveals Dry Land"). However, the language of "go up" and "go down" also carries an implicit sense of the ongoing hydrological cycle—evaporation, precipitation, and water flowing through mountains and valleys—which God established and continually sustains. So, it speaks to both a past, definitive act of creation and the enduring, divinely ordered processes that continue to govern the earth's water systems.

**How does this verse relate to modern scientific understanding of geology and hydrology?**

Answer: As a poetic and theological text, Psalms 104:8 is not a scientific treatise, but a hymn celebrating divine agency behind natural phenomena. It is compatible with modern scientific understanding, as it speaks to the *order* and *purpose* inherent in the earth's formation and water cycles, rather than detailing the precise mechanisms. Science describes *how* mountains are formed (e.g., plate tectonics, erosion) and *how* water moves (the hydrological cycle). The psalm asserts *who* is ultimately responsible for these processes and *why* they exist—God's wise and purposeful design. The "place which thou hast founded for them" can be seen as God's establishment of the physical laws and conditions that lead to the formation of oceans, rivers, and valleys, ensuring the earth's functionality and habitability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 104:8 celebrates God the Father as the ultimate Creator, the New Testament reveals that all creation was brought into existence through and for Christ. [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Christ") declares, "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made," identifying Jesus as the active agent in creation. Similarly, [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer") affirms, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible... all things were created by him, and for him." Thus, the divine power that caused the waters to recede and shaped the mountains and valleys was exercised by the pre-existent Christ. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated His ongoing sovereignty over nature during His earthly ministry, famously calming the storm with a word, commanding the wind and the sea, "Peace, be still" ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). This echoes the Creator's power to bring order out of chaos. Just as God "founded a place" for the waters, Christ, through His redemptive work, prepares a "place" for His people, promising in [John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place") to go and prepare a dwelling for them in His Father's house. Ultimately, the order and stability established in the physical creation by Christ foreshadow the new creation and the eternal order He will bring, where He makes "all things new" ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - He Makes All Things New")), fulfilling the divine purpose for all things.

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

Genesis 8:5

And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth [month], on the first [day] of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.

Psalms 33:7

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.