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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 104:1-9

When we are addressing ourselves to any religious service we must stir up ourselves to take hold on God in it (Isa. 64:7); so David does here. ?Come, my soul, where art thou? What art thou thinking of? Here is work to be done, good work, angels? work; set about it in good earnest; let all the powers and faculties be engaged and employed in it: Bless the Lord, O my soul!? In these verses, I. The psalmist looks up to the divine glory shining in the upper world, of which, though it is one of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:2

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment ,.... Referring, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi think, to the light, which was first created; and indeed this was commanded out of darkness by God the Word, or by the essential Word of God. Light is expressive of the nature of God himself, who is light, and in him is no darkness at all, and who dwells in light F8 "Pura in luce refulsit alma parens", Virgil. Aeneid. 2. "Et paulo post, pallas insedit, nimbo effulgens". inaccessible, and so may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 104:2

Who coverest thyself with light - Light, insufferable splendor, is the robe of the Divine Majesty. Light and fire are generally the accompaniments of the Supreme Being, when he manifests his presence to his creatures. He appeared thus to Abraham when he made a covenant with him, Genesis 15:17 ; and to Moses when he appointed him to bring the people out of Egypt, Exodus 3:2 ; and when he gave him his law on Sinai, Exodus 19:18 . Moses calls God a consuming fire, Deuteronomy 4:24 .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-2

The psalm of creation: the first day. This psalm should he read in connection with the story of God's creating the heaven and the earth. I. IT BEGINS BY THE PSALMIST SEEKING TO ATTUNE HIS SOUL FOR HIS STUDY OF THE WORKS OF GOD . 1 . He would that the Lord should be praised, and by himself especially. "O my soul" (cf. Psalms 103:1-22 .). If the study of nature were entered on with this desire, how far more fruitful it would be! None of the... read more

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 104:2

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment. Light was the first thing created ( Genesis 1:3 ), before either the heaven ( Genesis 1:6-8 ) or the earth ( Genesis 1:9 , Genesis 1:10 ). In light God, the invisible, as it were, enshrouds himself, making it the image of his hidden glory. Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain ; or, "a canopy" (comp. Isaiah 40:22 ; Isaiah 42:5 ; Isaiah 44:25 ). The metaphor is taken from the stretching out or "spreading out" of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:2-4

The psalm of creation: the second day. In Genesis we have simply the declaration of how God created the firmament, or the expanse, and what was effected by it. Here we have nothing said of the creation of the firmament, but only of its glory as the habitation of God. That firmament—the glorious new-lit cloud-caprisoned and star-bespangled heavens, whose beauty and splendour far surpass all human power to set forth, and which is here spoken of as the palace of God—was the creation of the... read more

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