Psalms 104:14
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
Original Language Analysis
מַצְמִ֤יחַ
to grow
H6779
מַצְמִ֤יחַ
to grow
Strong's:
H6779
Word #:
1 of 10
to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
לַבְּהֵמָ֗ה
for the cattle
H929
לַבְּהֵמָ֗ה
for the cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
3 of 10
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
הָאָדָ֑ם
of man
H120
הָאָדָ֑ם
of man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
6 of 10
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לְה֥וֹצִיא
that he may bring forth
H3318
לְה֥וֹצִיא
that he may bring forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
7 of 10
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לֶ֝֗חֶם
food
H3899
לֶ֝֗חֶם
food
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
8 of 10
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Cross References
Job 28:5As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.Psalms 136:25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.Genesis 3:18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;1 Corinthians 3:7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.Genesis 9:3Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.Job 38:27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?Joel 2:22Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Historical Context
Agriculture was central to ancient Israelite economy. Understanding crops growing as God's work, not merely human effort, prevented prideful self-sufficiency while encouraging diligent labor as cooperation with God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing your work as 'service' in cooperation with God's provision transform your attitude toward labor?
- What does God causing plants to grow teach about the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility?
Analysis & Commentary
God causes grass to grow for cattle and 'herb for the service of man' that he might bring forth food from the earth. This verse establishes God's provision for both animals and humans through vegetation. 'Service' (avodah) can mean work or worship, suggesting human agricultural labor cooperates with God's provision. Humans don't create food but cultivate what God causes to grow. This grounds work theology in God's providence—human labor is stewardship, not autonomous production. Christ fed multitudes (Matt 14:13-21), demonstrating divine provision.