Psalm 104:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 104:10-18

Having given glory to God as the powerful protector of this earth, in saving it from being deluged, here he comes to acknowledge him as its bountiful benefactor, who provides conveniences for all the creatures. I. He provides fresh water for their drink: He sends the springs into the valleys, Ps. 104:10. There is water enough indeed in the sea, that is, enough to drown us, but not one drop to refresh us, be we ever so thirsty?it is all so salt; and therefore God has graciously provided water... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 104:12

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation - All fowls love verdure, and have their residence where they can find wood and water. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

The greatness of God. This psalm, charged with the truest poetry, sings of the greatness of God ( Psalms 104:1 ) and of the heritage of man. The subjects are inseparably mingled. Of the former we have suggested to us - I. HIS GLORY . ( Psalms 104:1 , Psalms 104:2 , Psalms 104:31 .) II. HIS POWER . ( Psalms 104:3-9 .) The winds are his messengers; the fire is his servant; the clouds are his chariot; the waters flee at his command; the ocean stays at the bound he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

The heritage of man. The psalmist sings of the greatness of God ( supra ) , and also of the fair heritage bestowed upon us. This includes— I. SUFFICIENCY AND VARIETY OF FOOD . "These [all the living creatures, including man, that have been specified] wait on thee, that thou mayest give them their food," etc. ( Psalms 104:27 ); and the "herb" ( Psalms 104:14 ), for the service of man, stands for all the variety of fruits and vegetables with which our need is met and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

God's love for living creatures. This psalm celebrates and proves it. For, see— I. HE HAS PLACED THEM EVERYWHERE . The sea, the air, the land, all teem with it, as this psalm tells. And the lower life points to the higher, and proclaims that when God's will is done, that, too, shall fill earth and heaven. II. HE HAS ABUNDANTLY PROVIDED FOR THEM . Food, habitation, refuge ( Psalms 104:16-18 ). And Christ came, that we might have life, and have it more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:5-18

The psalm of creation: the third day. On all this the preacher will compare Milton's magnificent lines ('Paradise Lost'). The opening verse of this section was laid hold of by those who opposed Galileo, as with equal reasonableness or unreasonableness like verses are laid hold of in like controversies now—as utterly contradicting the conclusions to which his investigations had led him. Ever since there has been a clearer perception that the poetry of the Bible is poetry, and is to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:6-13

Water witnesses to the glory of God. The psalmist dwells most lovingly on the various wonders of God's ways with the water; and nothing more readily influences us than masses of waters, or falling waters, or gentle streams, or pouring rains. Poetically, man is very sensitive to the manifold forms in which God arranges this one simple thing—water. And nothing brings to man such a sense of irresistible power as loosened waters. I. THE LEVELLING OF THE WATERS . ( Psalms 104:5-8... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:12

By them; i.e. "by the springs" (see Psalms 104:10 ). Shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation. Birds need water as much as any other animals, and in dry tracts frequently congregate at the springs. Which sing (or, utter a voice ) among the branches of the trees which in the East spring up wherever there is moisture. read more

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