Praise to the Creator of the Earth
This psalm begins and ends with “Bless the Lord O my soul.” In between these bookends of praise, the psalmist draws his readers attention to God’s mighty works. God created the earth and everything in it (5-9) and sustains His creation (10-30). Because of God’s great and marvellous works, all of His people should give thanks and glorify Him.
The psalmist begins by praising YHWH, his great God (1-2). YHWH is great, covering Himself with splendour and majesty as He goes forth overseeing all His creation (3-4). God greatness and power are demonstrated in His creation of all things (5-9).
Not only is does God show His greatness in His creation of the world, but also in His sustaining of His creation. He sends forth waters that flow and sustain the beasts of the field and the animals of the earth (10-13). He graciously provides for mankind by causing the grass to grow as fodder for their cattle and causing their farming labours to be fruitful (14). He provides man with good things to enjoy and use (15). God sustains the plants and animals as well as ordering the day and night (15-23). God’s wisdom is seen in His ordering of the sea. The sea animals depend upon the Lord to provide for them (27). Only God can give life, and He is the one that takes it away, and the animals return to dust (29-30).
The psalmist ends this psalm in verses 31-25 with a call to praise God. He declares that he will sing to the Lord as long as he lives. He shall be glad in the Lord. Brethren, as you meditate on God’s greatness will you declare with the psalmist, “Bless the Lord O my soul, Praise the Lord!