Allegiance to Him

[Ps.104:1] Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. This fourth occurrence of the phrase, Bless the L-RD, O my soul compares with the Mosaic book of Numbers and describes the coming of Messiah at the conclusion of the Tribulation in power and great glory. This Numbers refrain also compares with the soul’s struggle between good and evil. It is manifested in the trails and difficulties of live. [2] Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: [3] Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: [4] Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire: [5] Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. David describes the beauty of Eden and predicts the glory of the kingdom age. The six days of creation with all of its activity brings forth praise to G-d. It is a magnificent planet made in perfect harmony. [8] They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Ecc. 1:7 states: All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. What an accurate description of the facts of the absorption and condensation of water from the sea into clouds and then into rain, by which the equilibrium of sea and land is maintained. Here it states the water going up the mountains as well as down the valleys. 135:7 says He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: He maketh lightnings for the rain: He bringeth the wind out of His treasuries. The watery vapor is rising from the ocean’s breast in such volume as no pumps ever imagined by man could produce. In the upper sky the cold air condenses the watery vapor and holds it in the clouds. If left there the water will fall again upon the sea, but the verse tells us how this is averted. G-d has made preparation. He brings the wind out of His treasuries. The clouds are borne in silent majesty to the mountains. How are these clouds to become rain? The shock precipitates the rain upon the waiting earth. Thus the Psalmist, inspired by G-d, describes in simple but accurate language what science is today revealing. [19] He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down. Ps. 104 was chosen to be the ‘Song of the Day’ used on Rosh Chrodesh, the first day of every month. Perhaps it was picked because David made a reference to the new moon in verse 19. Each month in the Jewish calendar begins with a new moon. [31] The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works. [32] He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. [33] I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. [34] My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. It is believed that David’s very purpose for existing was to sing praises to G-d. In the kingdom age all of the redeemed will praise Him. [35] Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD. The fifth occurrence of Bless the L-RD, O my soul compares with the Mosaic Deuteronomy and implies a fifth and final stage of the soul’s development. The soul is released from the body at death and returns to G-d. This verse also begins the first in a series of four Hallelujahs which declare the end of this section of the Psalms – that portion called the Numbers book. These Hallelujahs.