Psalm 104

Read Psalm 104 ESV

Who - An unnamed author gives praise to the LORD.  

What - This psalm tells about two attributes of God.  The first is the Lord as the sustainer and provider for creatures here on earth.  The second is the LORD’S greatness and majesty.  It is a song of deep and joyful praise to the LORD driven by the psalmist’s amazement at the LORD’S majesty, greatness and power.  

When - Unknown

Where - Unknown

Why - The psalmist is praising the LORD and giving Him glory.  He is also calling his hearers to praise the LORD for the same reasons he is praising the LORD.  

How - The unnamed psalmist tells of all the creatures who depend on the LORD for life and breath, the LORD as the sustainer and provider of all creatures.  He describes how the hill and mountain animals are fed by the LORD’S provision; the LORD waters and causes crops to grow so man can eat and have wine, “to gladden the heart.”  Next he describes how the trees grow and provide habitat for birds.  Then he  describes the lion’s provision of prey by the LORD at night and man comes out at daytime to labor to evening.  The psalmist moves on to talk about all the sea life living at the LORD’S hand.  The psalmist closes this subject with the declaration that the LORD provides when he opens His hand and shines His face upon them; the LORD closes His hand and they go hungry.  

The second attribute is the LORD’S greatness and majesty.  He opens the psalm describing the LORD being clothed in splendor and majesty, wearing light as a garment.  How the LORD rides on the clouds and He is the one who set the foundations of the universe.  God established the waters and they obey His command on where they go and what they cover.  The LORD is the one who sets the course and timing of the sun and moon.  

The psalmist closes this psalm with a stanza declaring that the glory of the LORD would endure.  The psalmist makes a personal commitment to sing and praise the LORD.  He uses the phrase, “Bless the Lord O my soul” to begin and end this psalm.  

So What 

1. Bless the LORD O my soul!  Our God is a great and glorious God!   Let us praise Him, bless His name and take delight in our souls at our God.  
2. When we are in distress, or thinking highly of ourselves, let us remember the LORD is supreme over all things.  He created and sustains the whole universe.  He provides by opening His hand and He takes away by closing His hand.  He is in control.  
3. Let us give thanks to the LORD for His gracious provision for all of His creation, and especially for us personally.