Psalm-104

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 104”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Foreword:

Tehillim - Psalm 104 is a hymn of cosmic praise that celebrates אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) as the ‘Creator’, ‘Sustainer’, and ‘Provider for all life’; it moves from majestic creation imagery to the daily care of creatures and ends with a prayer for יְהוָה - the LORD’s enduring glory, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name’!

Introduction:

Psalm 104 is a liturgical poem that pairs ‘creation theology’ with ecological observation’: it praises אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power in forming the heavens and earth, then traces how אֱלֹהִים - Elohim orders ‘waters’, ‘seasons’, ‘animals’, and ‘human work ‘so life flourishes. The JPS-1917 wording emphasizes ‘covenantal reverence’ and ‘poetic imagery’ rooted in the Masoretic text.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 104: (JPS-1917 version of the Tannakh).

1. “Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul. O יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי - LORD my Elohai (God), Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with glory and majesty.
2. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
3. Who layest the beams of Thine upper chambers in the waters, who makest the clouds Thy chariot, who walkest upon the wings of the wind;
4. Who makest winds Thy messengers, the flaming fire Thy ministers.
5. Who didst establish the earth upon its foundations, that it should not be moved for ever and ever;
6. Thou didst cover it with the deep as with a vesture; the waters stood above the mountains.
7. At Thy rebuke they fled, at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away.
8. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down unto the place which Thou hadst founded for them;
9. Thou didst set a bound which they should not pass over, that they might not return to cover the earth.
10. Who sendest forth springs into the valleys; they run between the mountains;
11. They give drink to every beast of the field, the wild asses quench their thirst.
12. Beside them dwell the fowl of the heaven, from among the branches they sing.
13. Who waterest the mountains from Thine upper chambers; the earth is full of the fruit of Thy works.
14. Who causeth the grass to spring up for the cattle, and herb for the service of man;
to bring forth bread out of the earth,
15. And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, making the face brighter than oil, and bread that stayeth man's heart.
16. The trees of יְהוָה - the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted;
17. Wherein the birds make their nests; as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.
18. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the conies.
19. Who appointedst the moon for seasons; the sun knoweth his going down.
20. Thou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
22. The sun ariseth, they slink away, and couch in their dens.
23. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24. How manifold are Thy works, O יְהוָה - LORD! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; the earth is full of Thy creatures.
25. Yonder sea, great and wide, therein are creeping things innumerable, living creatures, both small and great.
26. There go the ships; there is leviathan, whom Thou hast formed to sport therein.
27. All of them wait for Thee, that Thou mayest give them their food in due season.
28. Thou givest it unto them, they gather it; Thou openest Thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
29. Thou hidest Thy face, they vanish; Thou withdrawest their breath, they perish, and return to their dust.
30. Thou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created; and Thou renewest the face of the earth.
31. May the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD endure for ever; let יְהוָה - the LORD rejoice in His works!
32. Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
33. I will sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim while I have any being.
34. Let my musing be sweet unto Him; as for me, I will rejoice in יְהוָה - the LORD.
35. Let sinners cease out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul. הַלְלוּ-יָהּ - Hallelujah”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ item with explanations:

Verses 1-4: Opening praise and cosmic garments:

Vv.1-2: The Psalmist begins with personal praise, “Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul”, and then depicts אֱלֹהִים - Elohim clothed in light and stretching the heavens, a metaphor for divine majesty and transcendence.
Vv.3-4: Images of ‘waters’, ‘clouds’, ‘wind’, and ‘fire’ portray אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mobility and agency; winds as messengers and fire as ministers underline אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s control over natural forces.

Verses 5-9: Establishing the earth and bounding the waters:

V.5-6: The earth is set on firm foundations and covered by the deep ancient cosmology expressing stability and primordial waters subdued by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Vv.7-9: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s rebuke causes waters to retreat; mountains and valleys take their places, this is poetic description of creation’s ordering and the setting of limits for chaos.

Verses 10-18: Provision and cycles of life:

Vv.10-13: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provides springs and rivers; these sustain beasts and human settlements, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as source of life and refreshment.
Vv.14-18: ‘Vegetation’, ‘seasons’, and ‘habitats are gifts’: ‘grass for cattle’, ‘wine to gladden hearts’, ‘oil for beauty’, and ‘bread for strength’, all practical signs of Divine care.

Verses 19-23: Sun, night, and human labour:

V.19: The sun’s appointed course marks time and seasons, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ordering of day and night.
Vv.20-23: Night brings activity for nocturnal creatures; humans sleep and rise to work, this contrast highlights the diversity of אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s creation rhythms.

Verses 24-30: Creatures and dependence on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim:

Vv.24-26: The sea teems with life; Leviathan is a poetic emblem of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereign domain over even the great sea creatures.
Vv.27-30: All creatures look to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for food; אֱלֹהִים gives, opens hands, and renews life, sustenance is continual and relational.

Verses 31-34: Final doxology and prayer:

V.31: The glory of יְהוָה - the LORD endures this is the Psalm’s theological centre.
Vv.32-34: The Psalmist calls for praise and a personal vow: may my meditation be pleasing and my soul bless יְהוָה - the LORD ending with hope that wickedness will vanish and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s praise remain.

My Concluding message:

Psalm 104 invites us to read nature as a living liturgy: every ‘creature’, ‘season’, and ‘daily rhythm’ testifies to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sustaining presence. Practically, it encourages gratitude for ‘provision’, ‘humility’ before cosmic order, and a commitment to praise that matches the Psalm’s vision, thus let your life reflect care for ‘creation’ and ‘continual thanksgiving’ to אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ – ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name’!

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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