| Chapter text (World English Bible version) |  |
Praise God for his great power in creating and sustaining our world. | |
1 Bless the LORD,* my soul. The LORD, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honour and majesty. 2 He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain. 3 He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. 4 He makes his messengers** winds, and his servants flames of fire. * LORD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh ** or, angels | How is the LORD’s greatness shown in creation? |
5 He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever. 6 You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains. 7 At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away. 8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank down, to the place which you had assigned to them. 9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, that they don’t turn again to cover the earth. | What is said about the creation of the earth and the sea? |
10 He sends springs into the valleys. They run amongst the mountains. 11 They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing amongst the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from his rooms. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works. | How does the LORD provide water for His creation? |
14 He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth: 15 wine that makes the heart of man glad, oil to make his face to shine, and bread that strengthens man’s heart. 16 The LORD’s trees are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted, 17 where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the cypress trees. 18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers. | What does he provide for people and other creatures? |
19 He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set. 20 You make darkness, and it is night, in which all the animals of the forest prowl. 21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their food from God. 22 The sun rises, and they steal away, and lie down in their dens. 23 Man goes out to his work, to his labour until the evening. | What is governed by the sun and the moon? |
24 LORD, how many are your works! In wisdom, you have made them all. The earth is full of your riches. 25 There is the sea, great and wide, in which are innumerable living things, both small and large animals. 26 There the ships go, and leviathan, whom you formed to play there. 27 These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season. 28 You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good. | What else has the LORD created? |
29 You hide your face; they are troubled. You take away their breath; they die and return to the dust. 30 You send out your Spirit and they are created. You renew the face of the ground. 31 Let the LORD’s glory endure forever. Let the LORD rejoice in his works. 32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke. | How does creation respond to the LORD? |
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34 Let my meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in the LORD. 35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD,* my soul. Praise the LORD!** * LORD in all caps is from the Hebrew יהוה Yahweh ** LORD is from the short form יה Yah. | How does the psalmist respond? |
Back to chapter page
Or
Choose a chapter with questions