Read
The Lord Takes Care
1I praise you, Lord God,
with all my heart.
You are glorious and majestic,
dressed in royal robes
2and surrounded by light.
You spread out the sky
like a tent,
3and you built your home
over the mighty ocean.
The clouds are your chariot
with the wind as its wings.
4 The winds are your messengers,
and flames of fire
are your servants.
5You built foundations
for the earth, and it
will never be shaken.
6You covered the earth
with the ocean that rose
above the mountains.
7Then your voice thundered!
And the water flowed
8down the mountains
and through the valleys
to the place you prepared.
9Now you have set boundaries,
so that the water will never
flood the earth again.
10You provide streams of water
in the hills and valleys,
11so that the donkeys
and other wild animals
can satisfy their thirst.
12Birds build their nests nearby
and sing in the trees.
13From your home above
you send rain on the hills
and water the earth.
14You let the earth produce
grass for cattle,
plants for our food,
15wine to cheer us up,
olive oil for our skin,
and grain for our health.
16Our Lord, your trees
always have water,
and so do the cedars
you planted in Lebanon.
17Birds nest in those trees,
and storks make their home
in the fir trees.
18Wild goats find a home
in the tall mountains,
and small animals can hide
between the rocks.
19You created the moon
to tell us the seasons.
The sun knows when to set,
20and you made the darkness,
so the animals in the forest
could come out at night.
21Lions roar as they hunt
for the food you provide.
22But when morning comes,
they return to their dens,
23then we go out to work
until the end of day.
24Our Lord, by your wisdom
you made so many things;
the whole earth is covered
with your living creatures.
25But what about the ocean
so big and wide?
It is alive with creatures,
large and small.
26 And there are the ships,
as well as Leviathan,
the monster you created
to splash in the sea.
27All of these depend on you
to provide them with food,
28and you feed each one
with your own hand,
until they are full.
29But when you turn away,
they are terrified;
when you end their life,
they die and rot.
30You created all of them
by your Spirit,
and you give new life
to the earth.
31Our Lord, we pray
that your glory
will last forever
and that you will be pleased
with what you have done.
32You look at the earth,
and it trembles.
You touch the mountains,
and smoke goes up.
33As long as I live,
I will sing and praise you,
the Lord God.
34I hope my thoughts
will please you,
because you are the one
who makes me glad.
35Destroy all wicked sinners
from the earth
once and for all.
With all my heart
I praise you, Lord!
I praise you!
Reflect
Maybe you’re like me? I can’t read this psalm without a host of beautiful images flooding my mind. Here we view nature at its best – a thunderstorm racing across the prairies, a waterfall cascading down a verdant mountainside, wildlife bounding across the African savannah, the mystery and bounty of the ocean depths. The psalmist sees it all – portrays it all within this psalm.
In awe he exclaims, “Praise the LORD, my soul!”
What is your response to the majesty and diversity found in God’s creation? Is our response ever adequate?
There are many ways that we can connect with God: through prayer and contemplation, through Bible reading and study, through church activities and social interaction. All of these are valid. But many people connect with God most profoundly through nature. They are drawn to worship by engaging with the wonders of the natural world. Psalm 104 validates the awe and wonder we experience when we encounter God through the glory of creation.
Sometimes I feel disconnected from God, but in reality I’m disconnected from the natural world. The artificial world of concrete, asphalt and glass has hemmed me in. My spirit is starving for a connection with the natural world – the world without walls, flashing lights and smartphone screens. I need time by the quiet waters with the trill of a cardinal in my ear, and the surprise of a white-tailed deer around the next curve in the path.
Maybe you’re like me? Maybe you’re like the psalmist? Perhaps you’ll catch a glimpse of God in the setting sun.
Respond
God of blue skies and starry hosts, thank you for the wonders of creation. Help me be a wise steward of the goodness of the earth. I worship you. Amen.
David Kitz
David Kitz is an actor, an award-winning author, and teacher. For more than thirty years, he has served as an ordained pastor. His love for drama is evident to all who have seen his Bible-based performances. He has toured across Canada and United States with a variety of one man plays for children and adults. Raised in Saskatchewan, David now lives in Ottawa with his wife Karen. Books in print: The Soldier Who Killed a King, Little Froggy Explores the BIG World, Psalms Alive!, Tunks on Tongues