Psalm 104:1-23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:8

They go up by the mountains, they go down by the valleys ,.... The Targum is, "they ascend out of the deep to the mountains;' that is, the waters, when they went off the earth at the divine orders, steered their course up the mountains, and then went down by the valleys to the place appointed for them; they went over hills and dales, nothing could stop them or retard their course till they came to their proper place; which is another instance of the almighty power of the Son of God. Some... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:9

Thou hast set a bound, that they may not pass over ,.... The Targum adds, "to the rolling waves of the sea.' Set doors with bolts and bars, cliffs, rocks, and shores: and, what is more surprising, sand, which is penetrable, flexible, and moveable, is set as a perpetual bound to the raging ocean and its waves, which they cannot pass over: see Job 38:8 . So the Lord has set a bound to the proud waters of afflictions, and says, Thus far shall ye go, and no farther; and to the life of man,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:10

He sendeth the springs into the valleys ,.... The Targum is, "who sendeth fountains into the rivers.' Either from the waters of the sea, which being drained through the sand, become sweet and drinkable; or from the hills and mountains. This is an instance of divine goodness, that having removed the waters from the earth, and shut them up in the sea, and which, through the saltness of them, not being proper drink for men and beasts, he has been pleased to form and open springs, fountains,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:11

They give drink to every beast of the field ,.... These fountains, springs, and rivers, afford water for all the beasts of the field; who are therefore said to honour and praise the Lord on account of it, Isaiah 43:19 . The wild asses quench their thirst ; or "break" F14 ישברו "frangent", Pagninus, Montanus; "frangunt", Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth. it. Those creatures that live in dry and desert places, and are themselves dry and thirsty; and though so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:12

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation ,.... Another use of the springs, fountains, and rivers of water; by the sides and on the shores of these, some birds delight to be, and on trees that grow here do they build their nests; and here, having wetted their throats, they sit, and chirp, and sing: to doves, by rivers of water, is the allusion in Song of Solomon 5:12 . Which sing among the branches ; of trees that grow by the sides of fountains and rivers; see ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:13

He watereth the hills from his chambers ,.... The house of his superior treasures, as the Targum. The airy regions, Psalm 104:3 with the clouds of heaven, by the rain which they drop down upon them; the usefulness of which blessings of nature is largely described in this and some following verses. "The hills", which are naturally dry and barren, and receive but little advantage from the springs, fountains, and rivers below, are supplied with water from above; and become fruitful, bear... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:14

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle ,.... By means of rain falling upon the tender herb, and upon the mown grass, whereby provision of food is made for those creatures that live upon grass. And herb for the service of man : some herbs being for physic for him, and others for food, and all more or less for his use. Herbs were the original food of man, Genesis 1:29 and still a dinner of herbs, where love is, is better than a stalled ox, and hatred therewith, Proverbs 15:17 .... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:15

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man ,.... That is, by means of rain watering the earth, vines are caused to grow out of it; which produce wine, that has such a virtue in it, as to cheer the heart of man, even of a miserable, distressed, and afflicted man, as the word F16 אנוש "mortalis", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "sorry man", Ainsworth. is supposed to signify, Judges 9:13 . Of this nature are (and therefore are compared to wine, or expressed by it) the love of God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:16

The trees of the Lord are full of sap ,.... Or "satiated" F19 ישבעו "satiantur", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius; so Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis. ; that is, with rain; and through it are filled with fruits. This is to be understood not only of the tallest and largest trees; which are therefore called the trees of the Lord, as high mountains are called the mountains of the Lord, Psalm 36:6 and so other things excellent in their kind: but of trees of the field... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:17

Where the birds make their nests ,.... As they do in large, tall, spreading trees: not any particular "birds", as the sparrow, to which the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, and Apollinarius, restrain it: but birds in general are intended; and especially such as build in large trees, as before and after mentioned. Jarchi applies it to the Israelites dwelling among the trees in the garden of Eden: and it may be much better applied to the saints dwelling in the churches, among the trees... read more

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