Psalms 104:3

Authorized King James Version

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Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Original Language Analysis

הַ֥מְקָרֶֽה Who layeth the beams H7136
הַ֥מְקָרֶֽה Who layeth the beams
Strong's: H7136
Word #: 1 of 10
to light upon (chiefly by accident); specifically, to impose timbers (for roof or floor)
בַמַּ֗יִם in the waters H4325
בַמַּ֗יִם in the waters
Strong's: H4325
Word #: 2 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עֲֽלִיּ֫וֹתָ֥יו of his chambers H5944
עֲֽלִיּ֫וֹתָ֥יו of his chambers
Strong's: H5944
Word #: 3 of 10
something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky
הַשָּׂם who maketh H7760
הַשָּׂם who maketh
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 4 of 10
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
עָבִ֥ים the clouds H5645
עָבִ֥ים the clouds
Strong's: H5645
Word #: 5 of 10
properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse
רְכוּב֑וֹ his chariot H7398
רְכוּב֑וֹ his chariot
Strong's: H7398
Word #: 6 of 10
a vehicle (as ridden on)
הַֽ֝מְהַלֵּ֗ךְ who walketh H1980
הַֽ֝מְהַלֵּ֗ךְ who walketh
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כַּנְפֵי upon the wings H3671
כַּנְפֵי upon the wings
Strong's: H3671
Word #: 9 of 10
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
רֽוּחַ׃ of the wind H7307
רֽוּחַ׃ of the wind
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 10 of 10
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

Analysis & Commentary

God 'lays the beams of his chambers in the waters' and makes clouds His chariot, 'walking upon the wings of the wind.' This majestic imagery portrays God's sovereign control over creation's highest realms. The 'chambers' (aliyyah) suggest His heavenly dwelling above the waters of the sky. Walking on wind demonstrates effortless mastery over nature's most powerful forces. This anticipates Christ walking on water (Matt 14:25), demonstrating His divine authority over creation. The Reformed emphasis on God's transcendence recognizes His absolute distinction from and authority over all created things.

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern cosmology viewed the sky as waters held back by a firmament, with God's dwelling above. This verse uses that worldview to communicate God's sovereign majesty over all creation.

Questions for Reflection