Psalms 104:6

Thou coveredst it with the deep as [with] a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

Thou coveredst {H3680} it with the deep {H8415} as with a garment {H3830}: the waters {H4325} stood {H5975} above the mountains {H2022}.

You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

You covered it with the deep like a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.

Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.

Commentary

Commentary on Psalms 104:6

Psalms 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, echoing the creation narrative found in Genesis. This particular verse, Psalms 104:6, vividly describes the initial state of the earth during the creation process, emphasizing God's majestic power over the primordial waters.

Context

This psalm is often referred to as a "creation psalm," paralleling the days of creation in Genesis 1. It moves from God's glorious self (verses 1-2) to the formation of the heavens, then the earth and its waters (verses 3-9), followed by the provision for living creatures and humanity. Verse 6 specifically focuses on the early stage of the earth's formation, before the dry land emerged, setting the stage for the subsequent ordering of creation.

Key Themes

  • God's Sovereign Power: The verse highlights God's absolute control and might over the raw, unformed elements of creation. He is not merely a designer but an active, powerful agent.
  • The Primordial Waters: It describes a time when the earth was entirely submerged, a chaotic deep that God effortlessly "covered" as one would put on a garment. This imagery underscores the ease with which God brings order out of disorder.
  • Order from Chaos: The psalm presents a divine progression from an unformed, watery state to a world teeming with life, demonstrating God's ability to establish order and boundaries.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "deep" is tehom (תְּהוֹם), which frequently appears in the Old Testament, most notably in Genesis 1:2 where it describes the "face of the deep" over which the Spirit of God hovered. It refers to the vast, primeval ocean, often associated with chaos and the unformed state of the earth. The metaphor of covering it "as with a garment" (כַּלְּבוּשׁ, kallĕbûš) illustrates God's effortless dominion and intimate control over this immense, watery expanse, likening it to an item of clothing He can don or doff at will.

Practical Application

Psalms 104:6 reminds us of God's immense power and His role as the ultimate Creator. For believers, this verse offers reassurance that the same God who effortlessly ordered the vast, chaotic waters of creation is fully capable of bringing order and purpose to our lives and circumstances. It encourages a sense of awe and worship for His magnificent works and His unfailing control over all things. Just as He set boundaries for the waters (Psalms 104:9), He is sovereign over all creation and our individual paths.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 7:19 (9 votes)

    And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that [were] under the whole heaven, were covered.

  • 2 Peter 3:5 (4 votes)

    For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

  • Genesis 1:2 (3 votes)

    And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness [was] upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

  • Genesis 1:10 (3 votes)

    And God called the dry [land] Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that [it was] good.