Psalms 104:15

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. -Continuation of the description of God's care of His creatures by watering the dry land; as He waters the lower places or valleys by means of fountains or springs (Psalms 104:10), so the high ground or hills by rain, which makes the grass to grow for cattle, and grain and wine for man, and supplies with sap the tress wherein the birds build their nests. Verse 13. HE WATERETH THE HILLS - literally (the same Hebrew as in Psalms 104:11), 'He giveth drink to the hills.' Even inanimate nature and the earth are nourished by Him. So this two-fold watering is mentioned in...

15._And wine that cheereth the heart of man _In these words we are taught, that God not only provides for men’s necessity, and bestows upon them as much as is sufficient for the ordinary purposes of life, but that in his goodness he deals still more bountifully with them by cheering their hearts with wine and oil. Nature would certainly be satisfied with water to drink; and therefore the addition of wine is owing to God’s superabundant liberality. The expression, _and oil to make his face to shine, _has been explained in different ways. As sadness spreads a gloom over the countenance, some give this exposition, That when men enjoy the commodities of wine and oil, their faces shine with gladness. Some with more refinement of interpretation, but without foundation, refer this to _lamps. _Others, considering the letter מ, _mem _to be the sign of the comparative degree, take the meaning to b...

10-18 When we reflect upon the provision made for all creatures, we should also notice the natural worship they render to God. Yet man, forgetful ungrateful man, enjoys the largest measure of his Creator's kindness. the earth, varying in different lands. Nor let us forget spiritual blessings; the fruitfulness of the church through grace, the bread of everlasting life, the cup of salvation, and the oil of gladness. Does God provide for the inferior creatures, and will he not be a refuge to his people?...

Verse Psalms 104:15. _AND WINE_] _Wine_, in moderate quantity, has a wondrous tendency to revive and invigorate the human being. _Ardent spirits_ exhilarate, but they _exhaust_ the strength; and every dose leaves man the worse. Unadulterated wine, on the contrary, _exhilarates_ and _invigorates_: it makes him cheerful, and provides for the continuance of that cheerfulness by _strengthening_ the _muscles_, and _bracing_ the _nerves_. This is its _use_. Those who continue drinking till wine inflames them, _abuse_ this mercy of God. _OIL TO MAKE_ HIS _FACE TO SHINE_] That is, to anoint the body; and particularly those parts most exposed to the sun and weather. This is of high importance in all arid lands and sultry climates. By it the pores are kept open, and perspiration maintained.

AND WINE THAT MAKETH GLAD THE HEART OF MAN ... - literally, “And wine (it) gladdens the heart of man to make his face to shine more than oil.” Margin, “to make his face shine with oil, or more than oil.” The latter expresses the idea most accurately. So DeWette renders it. The meaning is, that the earth is made to produce wine (or grapes which produce wine), and this exhilarates the heart, so that the effect is seen on the countenance, making it more bright and cheerful than it is when anointed with oil. On the use of oil, see the notes at Psalms 23:5. The reference here, in the original, is not to wine and oil as produced by the earth, as would seem to be implied in our translation, but to wine that makes the heart glad, and the face brighter than if anointed with oil. The psalmist here states a fact about the use of wine - a wellknown fact that it exhilarates the

EXPOSITION "THE psalmist, in a time of severe trouble, arising from the power of the heathen, seeks consolation in reflecting on the greatness of God in nature," So Hengstenberg, correctly. The main topic of the psalm (Psalms 104:2) is thus the greatness of God as seen in his works. A direct ascription of praise precedes (Psalms 104:1) and follows (Psalms 104:33-19) the description of God's wonders in nature. PSALMS 104:1 BLESS THE LORD, O MY SOUL (see the comment on P

AND WINE THAT MAKETH GLAD THE HEART OF MAN,.... That is, by means of rain watering the earth, vines are caused to grow out of it; which produce wine, that has such a virtue in it, as to cheer the heart of man, even of a miserable, distressed, and afflicted man, as the word p is supposed to signify, Judges 9:13. Of this nature are (and therefore are compared to wine, or expressed by it) the love of God and Christ; the blessings of grace, the doctrines of the Gospel, the ordinances of it; particularly that of the Lord's supper, and even the joys of heaven. AND OIL TO MAKE HIS FACE TO SHINE: or, "to make his face shine more than oil" q; and so it continues the account of the virtue of wine, which not only cheers the heart, but makes the countenance brisk and lively, and even shine again: but, according to our version, and others, this is a distinct effect of the rain, causing ol

I trust that we have already felt something of holy enjoyment while our hearts and voices have been praising the Lord our God. Perhaps this Psalm may help to keep us in a praising state of mind. First of all, David sang of the majesty of God in his works; then it seems as if the spirit of praise within him became like a strong-winged angel, and, mounting into the sky, he began to soar aloft over the varied landscapes of the world until the sun went down; and even then, he continued scudding along through the darkness till the sun arose again, and found him still praising his God. We will note, as we read the Psalm, this strange, mysterious flight of the spirit of praise. Psalms 104:1. _Bless the LORD, O my soul._ There is the key-note. Strike it, my brethren, each one of you!...

Psalms 104 Creation's Praise _ 1. The Creator (Psalms 104:1)_ 2. The foundations of the earth (Psalms 104:5) 3. His works manifesting His kindness (Psalms 104:10) 4. How manifold are Thy works (Psalms 104:24) 5. Rejoicing in His works: Hallelujah! (Psalms 104:31) He is now praised as the Creator by creation. He is seen in His creator-glory. When the kingdom is established that glory will then be manifes

CIV. THE GLORY OF THE CREATOR. Psalms 104:1. Yahweh's power in the heavens. He is clothed in the light which God made first (Genesis 1:3) before the heavenly bodies. He lays the foundation of His dwelling in the waters above the firmament (Genesis 1:7 *). Thence He issues from time to time in person riding on the clouds (Isaiah 19:1), or else sends His message by wind or flame. Psalms 104:5. Separation of land and sea. Psalms 104:10. God's c