Westminster Annotations, Psalms · Psalm 104
PSAL. CIIII.
Vers. 1. THou art clothed with honour] Psal. 93. 1. The prophet sheweth that we need not enter into the heavens to seek God, forasmuch as all the order of nature, with the propriety and placing of the elements, are most lively mirrours to see his majestie in: For God when he made the world, came forth of his palace, as clothed in royall robes, as verse 2.
V. 2. as with a garment] As a king in the day of his coronation, puts on gorgeous apparell: so did God shew himself glorious in the light, newly made in the creation of the world.
stretchest out the Leavens like a curtain] Isai. 45. 12.
V. 3. Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters] He distinguisheth the skie by clouds, as it were into severall chambers.
who walketh upon the wings of the winde] Moveth as swiftly, as if he did slie, Psal. 18. 10. Isai. 19. 1.
V. 4. Who maketh his angels spirits] This is interpreted of the angels, Heb. 1. 7.
his angels spirits] Or, the windes his messengers, and the fluning fire his ministers.
V. 5. Who laid the foundations of the earth] Heb. he hath founded the earth upon her bases.
V. 6. Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment] The waters covered the earth at first, till God made them retire, that the dry land might appear, Gen. 1. 2. So they did also cover the earth in the flood, Gen. 7. 19.
V. 8. They] Or, But they.
They go up by the mountains: they go down by the valleys] Or, The mountains ascend, the valleys descend: Or, They were gone up the mountains.
V. 9. set a bound that they may not passe over] Jerem. 5. 22.
V. 10. He sendeth] Heb. Who sendeth.
run] Heb. walk.
amenz] Or, between.
V. 11. They give drink to every beast of the field] If God provide for the very beasts, much more will he extend his provident care to man, Matth. 6. 26, 30. and 10. 29, 31.
quench] Heb. break.
V. 12. By them shall the fowls of the beaven have their habitation] Evident signs of Gods blessings appear in all parts of the would.
shall the] Or, have the, &c.
sing] Heb. give a voice.
V. 13. He watereth the hils from his chambers] From the clouds, vers. 3.
V. 14. grasse to grow for the cottel] Psal. 147. 8.
for the service of man] He sheweth Gods speciall care of man, who doth not onelyonly provide necessary things for him, as herbs, and other meats, but also things to rejoyce, and comfort him, as wine, and oyl, or ointments.
food] Heb. bread, Job 28. 5.
V. 15. wine that maketh glad the heart of man] Judges 9. 13. Prov. 31. 6, 7.
oyl to make his face to shine] Heb. to make his face shine with oyl, or, more then oyl.
V. 16. The trees of the Lord are full of sap] Suth as men did not plant, but the LORD: as follows, see Numb. 24. 6. or, goodly great trees, Psal. 36. 6.
V. 17. as for the stork, the firre-trees are her house] The stork hath her name in Hebrew from kindnesse, because she seeds her parents when they are old. A good example for children to imitate.
V. 18. the rocks for the conies] Prov. 30. 26.
V. 19. He appointeth the moon for seasons] Gen. 1. 14. As to separate the night from the day, and to note dayes, moneths, and yeers.
V. 20. Thou makest darknesse] By causing the sun to set, verse 19. Isai. 45. 7.
all the beasts of the forest do creep forth] Heb. all the beasts thereof do trample on the forest.
V. 21. roar] Or, which roar, As verse 26, 28.
and seek their meat from God] God who hath given them a naturall voice to cry for food, answers it, and provides for them, Job 38. 39, 41. Joel 1. 20.
V. 22. The [Or, When the.
V. 23. Man goeth forth to his work] To wit, when the day springeth: for the light is as it were a shield to defend man against the tyranny and siercenesse of wilde beasts.
V. 24. how manifold are thy works] He confesseth that no tongue is able to expresse Gods works, nor minde, to comprehend them, Psal. 8. 1.
V. 26. leviathan] Job 41. 1. Psal. 74. 14.
made] Heb. formed.
V. 27. These wait all upon thee] Psal. 145. 15. God is a most nourishing father, who provideth for all creatures their daily food: and they must tarry till he will give it, verse 28.
V. 28. thou] Or, when thou. So verse 29, 30.
V. 29. Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled] As by thy presence all things have life: so if thou withdraw thy blessings, they all perish.
return to their dust] Psal. 146. 4. Gen. 3. 19. Eccles. 12. 7. Job 34. 14, 15.
V. 30. Thou sendest forth] As the death of creatures sheweth, that they are nothing of themselves: so their generation declareth, that we receive all things of our Creatour.
thy spirit] Thy quickning power, or, the breath which thou givest them.
thou renewest the face of the earth] By producing new creatures continually, Psal. 33. 6. Eccles. 1. 4. or, understand it of the creatures renewed in the spring of the yeer.
V. 31. shall endure] Heb. shall be.
V. 32. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth] Who if he look, &c. it trembleth.
and they smoke] Exod. 19. 18. Psal. 144. 5. Gods severe countenance maketh the earth to tremble, and burneth the mountains.
V. 33. as long as I live] Psal. 63. 4. and 146. 2.
V. 35. Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth] Who infect the world, and hinder Gods joy in his creatures, as much as in them lies, by abusing them.