Sunday - Psalm 104 verses 26-37
This Psalm is an ode to God's power and majesty in creation. God's greatness and divine power dominate this Psalm. The eyes of the reader are directed towards creation, not for creation's sake, but to bring glory to the Creator. The whole Psalm contains vivid imagery of creation and is very much based on the story of creation found in the book of Genesis. The verses which we read this morning relate very much to days 4, 5 and 6. This is very much a poet's eyes scanning God's work. To the Psalmist the creation is the garment of God which reveals His intricate but powerful handiwork.
Verses 26-30. By the continuous action of God the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the fish of the sea and mankind is not only created but sustained. Yet we should note that God has created the world in such a way that even though He provides for the needs of His creatures they must play their part also - in gathering in what God has provided. There is no licence here for laziness. God does what man cannot but man is created and called to do what God will not do for him. We were created to be good stewards over creation and this means work in order to be blessed by what God has provided for our needs. Whilst verse 29 acknowledges that God has provided the food in due season, verse 30 makes it clear that mankind must gather it in - yet still acknowledging that it is God who has provided it for him.
Verses 31-32 - tell us that the mystery of life and death are in the hands of God, the Creator. It is God that decides the life span of all creation. The Psalmist says that when God removes the breath of man he dies and returns to the dust, as does the rest of creation. Yet, there is life, there is hope because when God sends His Spirit there is renewal and life anew.
Verses 33-37 we have the grand finale of the Psalm in the form of two prayers. The fist prayer is verses 33-34 which desires that the Lord's glory endure for eternity. In verse 34 we have once again the imagery of God's power and might as the mountains and the earth tremble and smoke at the merest touch of His hand. In fact the Psalmist says that a mere look, a mere glance from God is enough to shake the foundations of the earth. The imagery once again is of the power of God - the awesomeness of God.
Then in verses 35-36 we have a declaration of purpose by the Psalmist. His purpose is to praise the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth. He praises God and rejoices in what the Lord God has made. The Psalmist tells us that as long as he has breath in his body he will praise the Lord God. Until his dying breath he will sing the praise of God. The Psalmist prays that his praise will be pleasing to God.
Verse 37 comes his prayer that all that is sinful on the earth would be banished from it. This is the only jarring note in the whole Psalm. It is a prayer for the perfection of creation, as it was before the fall of Adam, to be restored once again. The Psalmist then ends as he began with 'Bless the Lord, O my soul.' It is from the soul of the Psalmist that praise of God emanates. As Scripture says it is out of the mouth the overflow of the heart is revealed. We should praise God for His creation. We should remember that He, alone, created, sustains and renews the created order. We are also reminded that in His hands are the times of all. The Psalmist calls us to reflect on the power and majesty of God as revealed in creation that we might lift our hearts and voices in everlasting praise to Him and in longing for His return that sin might be banished once and for all.
Amen.
Verses 26-30. By the continuous action of God the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the fish of the sea and mankind is not only created but sustained. Yet we should note that God has created the world in such a way that even though He provides for the needs of His creatures they must play their part also - in gathering in what God has provided. There is no licence here for laziness. God does what man cannot but man is created and called to do what God will not do for him. We were created to be good stewards over creation and this means work in order to be blessed by what God has provided for our needs. Whilst verse 29 acknowledges that God has provided the food in due season, verse 30 makes it clear that mankind must gather it in - yet still acknowledging that it is God who has provided it for him.
Verses 31-32 - tell us that the mystery of life and death are in the hands of God, the Creator. It is God that decides the life span of all creation. The Psalmist says that when God removes the breath of man he dies and returns to the dust, as does the rest of creation. Yet, there is life, there is hope because when God sends His Spirit there is renewal and life anew.
Verses 33-37 we have the grand finale of the Psalm in the form of two prayers. The fist prayer is verses 33-34 which desires that the Lord's glory endure for eternity. In verse 34 we have once again the imagery of God's power and might as the mountains and the earth tremble and smoke at the merest touch of His hand. In fact the Psalmist says that a mere look, a mere glance from God is enough to shake the foundations of the earth. The imagery once again is of the power of God - the awesomeness of God.
Then in verses 35-36 we have a declaration of purpose by the Psalmist. His purpose is to praise the Lord God, creator of heaven and earth. He praises God and rejoices in what the Lord God has made. The Psalmist tells us that as long as he has breath in his body he will praise the Lord God. Until his dying breath he will sing the praise of God. The Psalmist prays that his praise will be pleasing to God.
Verse 37 comes his prayer that all that is sinful on the earth would be banished from it. This is the only jarring note in the whole Psalm. It is a prayer for the perfection of creation, as it was before the fall of Adam, to be restored once again. The Psalmist then ends as he began with 'Bless the Lord, O my soul.' It is from the soul of the Psalmist that praise of God emanates. As Scripture says it is out of the mouth the overflow of the heart is revealed. We should praise God for His creation. We should remember that He, alone, created, sustains and renews the created order. We are also reminded that in His hands are the times of all. The Psalmist calls us to reflect on the power and majesty of God as revealed in creation that we might lift our hearts and voices in everlasting praise to Him and in longing for His return that sin might be banished once and for all.
Amen.