Man’s Delight in Nature
The hundred and fourth psalm sings of the splendor and beauty of nature, which is the garment of God, “Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
“Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
“Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:”
Thus all things are but the expression of God and of his love: “He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.” Many are the good gifts of the Creator, herbs, and food, “and wine that maketh glad the heart of man.” Therefore doth man rejoice. The psalm tells of him going forth among the wonders of nature, marvelling over them, recognizing their stupendous meaning, and crying out, “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast, thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.”
So the hymn sweeps naturally to its closing thought, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live.”
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