It’s common for Christians to turn the words of Scripture into a song. The writer of Psalm 104 has done this—this psalm is like Genesis 1 turned into song. Its lyrics follows the order of creation as given in Genesis 1: light; the waters above; the waters below; trees and grass; sun and moon; sea creatures. It’s a marvellous hymn of praise to the Creator God.

The psalm begins with portraying God as a king dressed in royal garments. He is followed by His royal court, His messengers and servants. But God’s clothes are light, His chariot is the clouds, and His attendants are the fire and wind (Psalm 104:1–3).

The psalm praises God as both the Creator and Sustainer of His world. In verses 5–13, the psalmist praises the Lord who rules the waters. Sometimes you might wonder why we call this planet “Earth” when 71 per cent of it is water, but God has determined the boundaries of the oceans, rivers, and streams. These springs of water quench the thirst of all His creatures.

The emphasis in this psalm is on how God provides food and shelter for both people and animals (vv. 14–23). Trees provide a home for birds and mountains are homes to goats. Human beings can’t live in such places. The loving Lord has given them to His other creatures. God sends the night so that beasts can prowl for food (v. 20) and the day so people can go to work (v. 23).

According to Science: How Stuff Works, there are 8.7 million different species of plant and animal life on our planet. Furthermore, “a staggering 86 per cent of all species on land and 91 per cent of those in the seas have yet to be discovered, described and catalogued.” And if we add to that microbes and bacteria, the number jumps to 1 trillion!

Psalm 104 acknowledges that all creatures, particularly those that live in the sea, are “beyond number” (v. 25). Yet they all look to God “to give them their food at the proper time” (v. 27). While Christians pray “Give us today our daily bread”, in a sense this is the unspoken—and answered—prayer of every living thing.

Since God made and cares for all His creatures, He deserves our praise. The beauty, wonder, and diversity of the animal kingdom is breathtaking and should cause us “to sing praise to my God as long as I live” (v. 33).

While God has given to men and women dominion over all His creation (Genesis 1:26–30), Psalm 104 also recognises that we share His world with other species. The destruction and extinction of species to satisfy greed or entertainment is wicked. God’s loving care of all His creatures and His provision for their needs is a model for us to follow. Hallelujah!