Psalms 104

This “great hymn of creation,” as it has been aptly called, is an expansion of the first chapter of Genesis for practical and devotional ends. Like all Hebrew conceptions of nature, it makes no account of secondary laws, but brings the Creator directly before the mind as acting upon matter and organism, and bringing forth the varied purposes of his wisdom and goodness. There is no exact order of the “six days’ work” observed, but, viewing the works of creation as finished, the psalmist celebrates the wonderful providence of God as in continual manifestation throughout the vast realms of being. The psalm is exceedingly rich in fact and imagery, and variety and naturalness of scenery. Some parts seem almost an anticipation of modern geology, (as Psalms 104:6-9,) at the date of the latter part of the drift period, (which synchronizes with the historic date of the first chapter of Genesis,) and Psalms 104:29-30, of the order and succession of organic life upon our globe. The object of the psalm, as indicated in the first and closing verses, is to inspire praise and reverence to God, who is not only Creator, but the supreme, wise, and beneficent Ruler, and who, through nature, touches us at every point of our being. The last verse is an inference that a just, moral government, also, is over men. The substantial agreement of the first and last verses of this psalm with those of Psalms 103:0, together with the fact that in several manuscripts they are written as one, has led some to suppose it was a continuation of the latter, to which it forms a counterpart this treating of God’s works and sovereignty in nature, that in grace. The Hebrew gives no author or title, but the Greek Version assigns it “to David,” τω Δαυιδ .