Like the previous psalm, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!” brackets the content of Psalm 104. This psalm of praise focuses on the beauty and glory of the created world. Instead of worshiping nature, the psalmist worships the God who created nature. The heavens (v. 2), the water cycle (vv. 3-14), the vegetation and forests (vv. 15-18), the sun and moon (vv. 19-23) are all components of Jehovah’s manifold works and continuous testaments to His incomparable wisdom (vv. 24-26). All creation is utterly dependent upon Jehovah for its sustenance and survival (vv. 27-30).
The glorious creation of God prompted the psalmist to the following conclusion: “May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in His works. He looks on the earth, and it trembles; He touches the hills, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord. May sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked be no more” (vv. 31-35).
Many years later, another song writer (Carl Boberg) wrote:
When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, My Savior God, to Thee,
How great Thou art! How great Thou art!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord! (v. 35).
