The author of Psalm 104 is not identified, but is assumed by many scholars to be David—though there are those who assert that it dates from the exile. No evidence from the text itself gives credence to an exilic date; the fact that the translators of the Septuagint ascribed it to David lends more weight to Davidic authorship. Regardless of who put pen to paper, the Holy Spirit inspired the author to write a magisterial account of the first five days of creation. And, make no mistake—God is our Creator! In spite of what theological liberals, atheists, and theistic evolutionists claim, the universe was made by the Heavenly Father in six literal days. That includes human beings—among them, you and me!
The psalm itself is naturally divided into six sections—the first five covering Days 1-5 of the creation week, and the last section an exaltation of praise to Jehovah. Verses 1-5 address Day One, which hearkens back to the Genesis 1 account—written by Moses. “You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent” (Ps. 104:1-2). The creation of light and the heavens are obviously under consideration; the idea of the heavens being “as a tent” is an apt metaphor for the protection provided by earth’s atmosphere. Unfiltered ultraviolet rays and massive asteroid showers are just two of the things one considers in this vein. “He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind” (Ps. 104:3). This verse refers to the water vapors in the atmosphere in very descriptive language. The author is comfortable extolling God’s abilities to create by using beautifully articulate expressions—something that David would be comfortable doing. “He makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire” (Ps. 104:4). The perceptive Bible student will recognize this verse, because it is used by the writer of Hebrews in connection with the angels in Hebrews 1:7. The question of when the angels were created by God is an interesting one, which the psalmist teases. “He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved” (Ps. 104:5). The fact that the earth is stable stands as testimony to the awesome creative ability of God.
Verses 6-9 of the psalm cover Day Two of creation. “You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.” The contemplation of the power of God in creation causes one to shudder. To think that God speaks, and the waters shrink back, is awe inspiring. The only thing holding the seas back from covering the earth is the voice of the Almighty!
Verses 10-18 address Day Three. “You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches. From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth and wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart.” This section lists details which Moses did not record; it also points to the full inspiration of Scripture. God provides for His creation, down to the lowliest animals. Jesus would use similar imagery in the Sermon on the Mount; and, why wouldn’t He? After all, He was the executor of the creation (Heb. 1:2).
Verses 19-23 describe Day Four. “He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work and to his labor until the evening.” In this section, the author is not concerned with the actual creation of the sun and moon, but rather their positioning. The effects are described and are still in place to this day.
Verses 24-30 give insight into Day Five. “O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships, and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it. These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.” Here the author expresses his amazement at the diversity of God’s creation. And indeed, no matter how large or small, the creative artistry of God is on full display. Who can observe DNA and not come away with the intuition that God is behind it? The evidence that God has a sense of humor is seen in the duck billed platypus and the bumblebee!
The psalmist finishes by extolling the majesty of God in verses 31-35. “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke! I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!” One cannot improve upon the flowing prose of the psalmist; God is responsible for all of the mighty works of the universe. Those who follow Jehovah express love and gratitude to Him for all His works; there is coming a Day when the God of the Universe will set things right. May we ever be thankful!
Carolina Messenger 