Poets and song writers will often see, hear, or read something that inspires them greatly, and then they do what they do best, write a song or poem about what moved them. In our psalm for today, the unknown author likely had read or heard recited Genesis 1, and was moved to write this psalm. When Moses penned the words of Genesis 1, he wrote it as a narrative. The psalmist observed God’s protective care in His creation, the order of the universe, and His ultimate authority over life and death. Then he wrote this psalm as a song of worship to the Lord, celebrating Him as Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler over all creation. Let’s take a look at God’s Word here.
There are several hymns which speak of Creation, such as “All Creatures of Our God and King”, by St. Francis of Assisi, “All Things Bright and Beautiful”, and “How Great Thou Art”. This psalm affirms that there was a literal creation by God. Creation was not by chance or evolution. God is the divine Ruler over nature, life, and death, and every human is dependent upon Him for every breath. Nature is not divine. God is distinct from His creation, yet He is intimately involved in it.
Our psalm opens with personal worship of the Lord God, blessing Him and proclaiming His majesty and glory (vs. 1-4). This also corresponds with Genesis 1:1-4. The psalmist describes God as being clothed with light, which shows His holiness and glory. God stretched out the heavens, creating them by His divine command. He rides upon the clouds, which shows His power and rule over the weather. He controls the weather, not man. The angels, a different type of created being, are his servants. They are not independent powers. God is not a part of creation. He is above it. Light, heavens, winds, and angels are His tools.
Next we see God shaping the earth, establishing its foundations (vs. 5-9). This is paralleled in Genesis 1:6-10. Here we see God setting the earth on its foundation and covering it with water, setting its boundaries. This is not mythical language. This psalm describes literal acts of God during the creation week.
Continuing on we see how God provides for all of His creatures (vs. 10-18). We see how He provides water for animals and plant-life, along with food for all. God also provides homes for each creature, including trees for the birds, and homes in the rocks and mountains for goats and rock badgers. Nature is not self-sustaining. It is God who maintains the environment and every creature’s habitat.
God also governs time and seasons, as we see in verses 19-23. He made the moon for seasons and the sun for daily cycles. He made some animals active during the night, and others during the day, including man, with the work he does. Time itself is a creation of God. The orderliness of the universe reflects His wisdom.
God showed forth His wisdom through His creation of the sea and all the various creatures therein (vs. 24-26). If you’ve ever been out on a ship in the ocean, you know how vast those oceans are. And within the oceans are innumerable creatures, both large and small. The psalmist mentions the Leviathan, which is a large but unspecified sea creature, possibly now extinct. He mentions the Leviathan playing in the ocean. We see that God delights in His creation.
We see that God controls life and death (vs. 27-30). All creatures, including mankind, look to Him for their food, and we all live by His provision. God created us by His Spirit, and we will die when He withdraws our breath. Life does not come on its own. God is the giver and sustainer of life. The psalmist closes with worship of the Lord and a righteous desire and longing for a world free from sin (vs. 31-35). True worship includes a desire for righteousness and the removal of all sin.
As we look back over this song of creation, we see that God’s creation is purposeful, ordered, and personal. He sustains all of life, moment by moment. He also controls weather, seasons, life, and death. As we go about our life, take time to observe God’s marvelous creation, and be reminded of His power and goodness. Every breath that we take is a gift from God. And remember, if He feeds the lions and the birds, He will certainly care for His children.
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