Psalms 104:21

Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. THOU MAKEST DARKNESS ... WHEREIN ALL THE BEASTS OF THE FOREST DO CREEP FORTH. THE YOUNG LIONS ... SEEK THEIR MEAT FROM GOD - who is the Provider alike of their proper prey and of the darkness wherein they can get it ()....

21.The _lions roar after their prey _Although lions, if hunger compels them, go forth from their dens and roar even at noon-day, yet the prophet describes what is most usually the case. He therefore says, that lions do not venture to go abroad during the daytime, but that, trusting to the darkness of the night, they then sally forth in quest of their prey. Herein is manifested the wonderful providence of God, that a beast so dreadful confines itself within its den, that men may walk abroad with the greater freedom. And if lions sometimes range with greater liberty, this is to be imputed to the fall of Adam, which has deprived men of their dominion over the wild beasts. There are, however, still some remains of the original blessing conferred by God on men, inasmuch as he holds in check so many wild beasts by the light of day, as if by iron cages or chains. The expression, _They seek thei...

19-30 We are to praise and magnify God for the constant succession of day and night. And see how those are like to the wild beasts, who wait for the twilight, and have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Does God listen to the language of mere nature, even in ravenous creatures, and shall he not much more interpret favourably the language of grace in his own people, though weak and broken groanings which cannot be uttered? There is the work of every day, which is to be done in its day, which man must apply to every morning, and which he must continue in till evening; it will be time enough to rest when the night comes, in which no man can work. The psalmist wonders at the works of God. The works of art, the more closely they are looked upon, the more rough they appear; the works of nature appear more fine and exact. They are all made in wisdom, for they all answer the end...

Verse Psalms 104:21. _THE YOUNG LIONS ROAR AFTER THEIR PREY_] It is said of the lion, that his _roaring_ is so terrible as to astonish and quite unnerve the beast which he pursues; so that, though fleeter than himself, it falls down and becomes an easy prey....

THE YOUNG LIONS ROAR AFTER THEIR PREY - This is a continuation of the description in the previous verse. At night the beasts which had been hidden in the daytime crawl forth and seek their food. The lion is particularly specified as one of the beasts that in a general survey would attract attention. The psalmist hears his “roar” as he goes forth in the forest in pursuit of his prey. AND SEEK THEIR MEAT FROM GOD - Their food. That is, God bestows it on them, and they act as if they sought it at his hand. They seek it where he has placed it; they are dependent on him for it. It is a beautiful idea that even the brute creation act as if they called on God, and sought the supply of their needs at his hands....

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

THE YOUNG LIONS ROAR AFTER THEIR PREY,.... Or, "at the prey" f; for, according to the Scriptures, it seems as if their time of roaring was when they have got their prey, and are tearing it and feeding on it, and not till then, Amos 3:4 though naturalists tell us, that, when they are pinched with hunger, they make such a hideous roaring, as quite stupefies, as well as terrifies, other creatures; that they have no power to stir, till they come up to them, and become their prey, who otherwise could outrun them; for the lion is neither a swift creature, nor of good scent: wherefore, according to credible accounts, a creature called a "jackal", little bigger than a fox, hunts its prey for it, and secures it till it comes up to it. Young lions are rather mentioned, because their appetite is keenest, and their voice loudest and strongest. This creature is an emblem of Satan, who goes about like...

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