Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: From the Beginning | Part 3: The Flood | Part 4: The Sabbath | Part 5: Deliverance | Part 6: Isaiah | Part 7: Jeremiah | Part 8: Minor Prophets | Part 9: The Gospels | Part 10: Acts | Part 11: Pauline Epistles 1 | Part 12: Pauline Epistles 2 | Part 13: Hebrews | Part 14: General Epistles | Part 15: Revelation | Part 16: Job | Part 17: Psalms 1 | Part 18: Psalms 2 | Part 19: Psalms 3 | Part 20: Psalms 4 | Part 21: Psalms 5
Psalm 104 is the lengthiest discussion of Creation outside Genesis. But while the Genesis account is historical narrative, the Psalm is a poetic celebration.
The Psalmist begins with his application: we should bless the Lord. (Starting a speech with your conclusion, before presenting any argument or development, is called “inductive” speaking. It can make for a very powerful presentation.) He’ll support his contention throughout the psalm, but he puts the conclusion right up front. Worship, glorification, is serious business.
And why should we bless the Lord?
Because he is great. And not just great, but “very” great. Exceedingly. Mightily. Great with muchness.
This is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill greatness. This is greatness that makes all the other greatnesses of time and space look relatively insignificant; specifically, he is “clothed with honor and majesty.”
Clothed. And for God, these are not dress-up clothes, dressed to impress at some social event by appearing more together than he actually is. Glory and honor are his everyday clothes; they are a natural expression of who he is and what he’s about.
And how do we know that? Well, we look at what he has done. And so follows a poetic celebration of the creation of the cosmos.
- He manipulates light (Ps 104.2). We’re just surrounded by light, and we do the best we can to minimize its effects, when we need to, with parasols and SPF. But He spoke it into existence, and it does his bidding.
- He has created the atmospheric forces (Ps 104.3)—and while he’s at it, the other “winds”—spirits—as well (Ps 104.4). (You may recall that “wind,” “breath” and “spirit” are all the same word in Hebrew.) They all do his bidding, even though to us they’re invisible.
- He has created the solid ground (Ps 104.5)—which is so solid that Jesus later compared “impossible” prayer requests to moving mountains (Mt 21.21).
- He has created the seas and told them where they may go (Ps 104.6-9; cf Job 38.8-11).
- Speaking of water, he has created springs, which refresh animals (Ps 104.10-12) and rain, which nourishes the plants (Ps 104.13-16).
- He provides shelter for wild animals (Ps 104.17-18).
- He has created heavenly lights that guide creatures as to both time and place (Ps 104.19-23).
And here the Psalmist pauses for an outburst of praise (Ps 104.24). The variety of works that he has just enumerated demonstrate that God is not only very great; they show as well that he is both wise and generous. He’s good and kind.
And then he returns to his list for one more observation.
- God has created sea creatures (Ps 104.25-30) and graciously provides for their sustenance—and determines when they die.
Wow.
What is the appropriate response to all this?
Creation declares the glory, power, and wisdom of the Creator (Ps 104.31-32).
And so, I will praise him while I have breath (Ps 104.33). And that meditation on his works and praise for them will bring joy and gladness to my heart (Ps 104.34).
Why? Because that’s what I was made to do (1Co 10.31).
You can choose a different path, if you want. But if you ignore your source and purpose, you will not prosper (Ps 104.35)—just as you can’t expect to ignore the oil warning light in your car and then gripe when the engine freezes up on you.
The Psalmist concludes with his opening—“bless the Lord”—making the psalm an extended inclusio (Ps 104.35).
Hallelujah! (Ps 104.35).
Do you see how much we miss when we dismiss the biblical narrative of Creation, either by denying it or by failing to meditate on it?
We miss the aesthetic; we miss the joy; and consequently, we miss our very purpose for living.
Next time we’ll consider what the book of Proverbs contributes to Creation Theology, and then one more post, Lord willing, will tie it all up.
Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash
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