Passage: Psalm 104
The Big Idea
Psalm 104 is a hymn to God the Creator and Sustainer. Clothed in light, riding on the wind, He laid the earth’s foundations, set boundaries for the sea, and still waters the valleys, feeds the lions and lets Leviathan play in the deep. These all wait for You… You open Your hand, they are filled with good. And when He sends His Spirit, they’re created and the face of the earth is renewed.
Reflections
Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great (v. 1). Blessing the Lord is how I set my mind on things above. Everything about You is perfect and majestic. Words fail.
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment (v. 2). Every expression of You is luminous and holy. You’re the Light of the world, and anyone who walks in Your light will be all right.
Who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind (vv. 3-4). No physical limits bind You. You move where You want. You even have servants like flames of fire.
You who laid the foundations of the earth (vv. 5-9). You made creation to endure. The waters once covered the mountains, and at Your rebuke they fled to the place You assigned. Nothing is too hard for You. No force stands against Your will. Conform me and my family to it.
He sends the springs into the valleys (vv. 10-11). All grace flows from You. You’re mindful of the high places and the low. You give drink even to the wild donkeys, the stubborn and untamed. You see their value. You’re a giver at heart. I need Your water, Your Spirit.
By them the birds of the heavens have their home; they sing among the branches (v. 12). If we have a voice, we’ll sing to You. Help me always have a song ready. Your Spirit is my breath.
He waters the hills from His upper chambers; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works (v. 13). Heaven supplies the water, and water is life. Your works produce fruit; mine don’t. Do Your work in me and through me.
Wine that makes glad the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread which strengthens man’s heart (vv. 14-15). Each points to Jesus. Wine: joy, His blood, life. Oil: the Spirit. Bread: what satisfies and sustains. You are the gift, Jesus.
The trees of the Lord are full of sap (v. 16). Another picture of life! We’re full of Your life supply, like branches in the Vine (John 15).
The high hills are for the wild goats; the cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers (vv. 17-18). Every creature is in Your care, and none was made by mistake. It’s beautiful in its variety.
He appointed the moon for seasons; the sun knows its going down (vv. 19-23). So much bigger than me and my life, yet You value me more, and You’re even more faithful to me than to the sun and moon. Night for the lions, day for people to work: You’ve ordered it all.
O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all (v. 24). Everywhere I look, You’re still in charge. You deserve my trust.
This great and wide sea… there is that Leviathan which You have made to play there (vv. 25-26). I’ve been blessed to see some of these wonders. The great sea creatures are God’s toys!
These all wait for You, that You may give them their food in due season. What You give them they gather in; You open Your hand, they are filled with good (vv. 27-28). You supply every creature. You never forget or run out. You’re good and do good to all. Always giving.
You hide Your face, they are troubled… You send forth Your Spirit, they are created; and You renew the face of the earth (vv. 29-30). It’s always Your Spirit I need most. Give Him to me, my family and my church family.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works (v. 31). We exist to bring You joy. Help me be that child for You.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live… may my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord (vv. 33-34). Sweet meditation, glad heart.
Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (v. 35).
Grace Takeaway
The God who feeds lions and lets Leviathan play is the same God who opens His hand to fill you with good. Everything waits on Him, and He never runs out. Ask Him for His Spirit, the greatest gift of all, and let your meditation be sweet to Him.
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