Psalms 104:1
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Psalm 104 is a creation hymn celebrating God's wisdom, power, and provision as revealed in nature. While structurally and thematically similar to Psalm 148 and Genesis 1, it likely draws from ancient Near Eastern creation poetry while radically reinterpreting it in light of Yahweh's unique character.
Some scholars note parallels between Psalm 104 and the Egyptian 'Hymn to Aten' by Pharaoh Akhenaten (14th century BC), which praises the sun god's provision and power. However, crucial differences distinguish them: Psalm 104 worships the transcendent Creator rather than a created object (the sun), emphasizes God's moral governance alongside natural providence, and situates creation within covenant relationship.
The psalm's literary structure follows a cosmic geography: light and heavens (vv. 1-4), earth's foundations (vv. 5-9), water sources and vegetation (vv. 10-18), celestial bodies (vv. 19-23), sea creatures (vv. 24-26), God's universal provision (vv. 27-30), God's glory and human response (vv. 31-35). This parallels Genesis 1's seven-day structure while expanding poetically on creation's ongoing operation.
For Israel, this psalm celebrated Yahweh as the true Creator against competing claims of Baal (Canaanite storm god), Marduk (Babylonian creator deity), and Ra (Egyptian sun god). Nature reveals not impersonal forces or capricious deities but the wise, faithful, covenant-keeping LORD.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to command one's own soul to worship, and why might this internal summons be necessary?
- How does creation reveal God's 'honour and majesty,' and what prevents people from recognizing these divine attributes in nature?
- In what ways should recognizing God's greatness affect our response to environmental challenges, scientific discoveries, or cosmic exploration?
Analysis & Commentary
Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. This psalm opens with David's summons to his own soul to worship, echoing Psalms 103 and 146. "Bless the LORD" (barkhi nafshi et-Yahweh, בָּרְכִי נַפְשִׁי אֶת־יְהוָה) uses the intensive imperative—commanding wholehearted engagement in worship. Nafshi (נַפְשִׁי, "my soul") represents the entire inner person—mind, will, emotions, and spirit.
"O LORD my God" (Yahweh Elohai, יְהוָה אֱלֹהַי) combines God's covenant name (Yahweh) with the personal possessive ("my God"), emphasizing both intimate relationship and sovereign authority. The psalmist worships not a distant deity but the God who has bound Himself in covenant love to His people.
"Thou art very great" (gadalta m'od, גָּדַלְתָּ מְאֹד) declares God's transcendent majesty. Gadal (גָּדַל) means to be great, grow, or be magnified. M'od (מְאֹד) intensifies to "exceedingly, abundantly, greatly." God's greatness exceeds all created magnitude—He is infinitely superior to everything He has made.
"Clothed with honour and majesty" (hod v'hadar lavashta, הוֹד וְהָדָר לָבָשְׁתָּ) uses royal imagery. Hod (הוֹד) denotes splendor, glory, or dignity; hadar (הָדָר) means majesty, magnificence, or beauty. God is portrayed as a king robed in resplendent garments. Creation itself serves as the visible manifestation of God's invisible attributes (Romans 1:20).