Psalms 104:34

My meditation of him shall be sweet— I shall delight in making him my theme. Mudge. It is literally, My theme upon him will be sweet. The next verse may be rendered, While the sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more, &c. The reader desirous of seeing a more complete and philosophical comment on this psalm, will find such a one in the 7th Volume of Scheuchzer's Physique Sacree.

REFLECTIONS.—1st, One page of the holy Scriptures contains more of the true sublime than is to be found in all the volumes of poets and philosophers; of which this psalm is a striking instance; where majesty of diction, vastness of idea, and the transcendently dazzling brightness of the images, conspire to fill the soul with sacred reverence and awe of the Divine Majesty, whose glory passes before us.

1. The Psalmist calls upon his own soul to awake, to praise Jehovah, Jesus; Very great in his divine person; in his amazing works of creation, providence, and grace; and in his distinguished offices; clothed with honour and majesty; the object of universal adoration in earth and heaven; and, what above all engages the heart, my God, in all whole greatness and glory I am interested.

2. He describes the exceeding greatness of his covenant God; before whose majestic presence all human grandeur vanishes, as the glow-worm before the meridian sun. What monarch ever appeared so clothed, so enthroned, so attended? Light itself is his garment, so bright and dazzling, that even angels themselves veil their faces when they approach his footstool, unable to bear the intolerable blaze. The vast expanse of heaven forms the curtains of his pavilion, as easily stretched out at his word, and, when he pleases, as instantly rolled together. Above the firmament his radiant throne is fixed; and those waters which float in the skies are the beams of his chambers. If he comes forth, the clouds, his chariots, wait, and he walketh on the wings of the wind; so swift to succour his people, or pour vengeance on their foes. Bright angels, ministers of flame, spirits disencumbered from the fetters of material substance, stand ready, the creatures of his hand and the willing servants of his pleasure. Fixed by him on a basis immoveable, the solid earth abides. The vast abyss of waters, which at creation covered it, at his command halted to the hollow deep, fled over the mountains, and through the vallies retired to their appointed places: there shut up in bounds they cannot pass, the billows toss themselves in vain; since God hath said, "Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further, and here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Meditate, my soul, on these wonders of power, and ceaseless adore this glorious Jehovah.
2nd, Having mentioned the more august displays of the Divine Majesty in heaven and earth, the Psalmist passes on to consider his bountiful providential care over the world, and the creatures in it, the work of his hands.
1. He sends his rain from the clouds, his chambers, to fill the vast reservoirs in the hills and mountains, from whence the springs burst forth, and descend into the vallies beneath, affording grateful refreshment to the thirsty cattle, and at which even the wild asses quench their thirst. Shall God then so kindly relieve the wants of creatures so worthless, and can we dare distrust him, or fear that he will suffer us to want?
2. By the sides of these flowing streams the birds take up their grateful abode, and sing on the branches, as if attempting to articulate thanksgiving for the provision which God had made. Shall they sing, and man be silent? forbid it, gratitude!
3. By these kind rains also the earth impregnated, teems with vegetative life, well-pleased to bear those fruits which God causes to spring forth, grass for the cattle, and herb for the service of man, for food or physic: a rich provision, not only for necessity but delight: corn, wine, and oil, to strengthen his body, to cheer his spirits, and beautify his countenance. Note; (1.) Since we are daily fed by God's bounty, it becomes us to be thankful for the provision, and dependant on his providence. (2.) If God hath given us so many good things, and, far from tantalizing us merely with the sight, bids us enjoy his blessings, let us beware that we do not, by our abuse, turn that into our curse, which was designed for our comfort.

4. The trees, as well as animals, are fed with their proper nourishment: filled with sap, under God's care they grow; his hand planted them, and he waters them with the dew of heaven. Such are his saints, planted by his grace, and watered with heavenly influences; full of sap and spiritual life within; increasing with the increase of God; tall as the cedars, and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ to the praise and glory of God.
5. By strange instinct the birds are taught to build their nests on the lofty trees, as the places most suitable and safe; and the wild goats, sensible of their defenceless state, choose the high hills and precipices for their abode and refuge; and the feeble and fearful rabbits burrow under the rocks for their shelter. Shall these all shew wisdom in their choice, and shall we be the only fools in nature! Instead of flying to Jesus as our refuge, and making him our munition of rocks, shall we neglect his great salvation, and carelessly stand exposed to every spiritual enemy, till we fall a prey to the destroyer!
3rdly, New wonders of God's power and providence afford new matter for our contemplation and praise.
1. The day and night, and the luminaries which preside over them, are the works of his hands: if the sun knoweth his stated seasons of revolution, and the moon in regular order fills and empties her orb with light, it is by Divine appointment, and for the wisest purposes. The night, which affords welcome repose to man, emboldens the creatures on whom the fear of man is impressed to arise in quest of food; the lions, roaring, roam about the forest, and seek their meat from God who feedeth them, and when the sun begins to rear his head they return again to their dens: the welcome morning breaks, and slumbering man arises; the day is his time for labour, till the shadows of the evening warn him to retire, and recruit with repose his exhausted strength for the labours of another day. Note; (1.) If God at the lion's roar provides flesh for his hunger, can it be possible that his own children should cry to him and be refused bread? (2.) In the night of desertion and temptation the roaring lion, Satan, fails not to endeavour to scare the poor distressed soul: but lo! the morning breaks, and before the beams of the sun of righteousness our fears are dispelled, and our enemy driven away. (3.) The day is for labour; a sluggard is an offence to the sun, that wastes on him his glorious light. (4.) The shadows of the evening of death will be welcome to those who have, through Divine grace, finished the work which God had given them to do.

2. The earth with all its riches, and the sea with all its swarms of inhabitants, display the wisdom and power of the great Creator; there go the ships, transporting to other lands the various produce of different climes; and there fearless plays on the surface the vast leviathan; whilst all the watery brood which swim or creep, both small and great, depend on their Maker's hand are fed from day to day, the least not disregarded, the largest liberally supplied, and all are filled with good, receiving the portion suited to their wants. Shall men then be less careful to seek their meat from God, or dare they impatiently murmur against the provision made for them!

3. In his hands they are to live or die; if he withhold their supplies, they pine with hunger; if he command the breath that he gave to depart, they return to their dust. Yet, though death seem to threaten universal desolation, a new creation in succession rises, no species of animals fails; the earth is replenished with inhabitants, renewed daily by the rising sun, and annually by the returning spring.
4. Well might these views make the pious Psalmist cry out, O Lord! how manifold are thy works! so vast and various, and withal so exquisitely finished; in wisdom hast thou made them all: the works of man will hardly bear inspection, and the microscopic eye descries the foulest flaws in the most finished pieces; but here examination raises the wonder, all is executed beyond the power of imagination to add thereto, or the possibility of finding fault: as for God, his work is perfect.

4thly and lastly, We have,
1. The Psalmist's resolution, while he has a being, to give praise to God for all he is in himself, and for the wonders he hath wrought. His glory is everlasting; it will appear not only through time, but to eternity; and glorified saints and angels will for ever adore him. The Lord shall rejoice in his works, well pleased on the survey; for all he doth, is well done: and, if he pleased, with one frown he could dissolve all created nature. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth, convulsed with earthquakes: he toucheth the hills, and straight the fire kindles, they smoke, and burst forth in flames. Most worthy therefore is he to be praised, who is so greatly to be feared. Let the sinner tremble, who obstinately refuses, or carelessly neglects, to give him the glory due unto his name. If but a touch, a frown, is so terrible, how will the guilty soul endure the fierceness of his wrath, and the lighting down of his indignation?

2. He determines with delight to meditate continually on all God's wondrous works: his works of providence, and his yet more pleasing works of redemption and grace; the sweetest subject that can engage the believer's thoughts; and as the blest effect of such contemplation, I will be glad in the Lord; the reflections will fill his soul with joy, and his lips with praise to his divine and adored Jesus.

3. He foresees the end of the wicked, and prays for the appearing of God's glory in their destruction. Let the sinners who obstinately and perseveringly reject God's government, and rob him of his glory, be consumed out of the earth, by the stroke of judgment, and the brightness of the Saviour's coming; and let the wicked, whose ways are one continued scene of impiety and impenitence, be no more; cut off with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. Note; The hour is near, when all God's patience with the ungodly shall have an end, and ruin terrible and eternal overtake them.

4. He concludes with calling on his own soul to bless the Lord for his judgments on the wicked, and invites all God's people to join his praises. Here first in the psalms the word Hallelujah occurs, and this on occasion of the destruction of the ungodly. It is in the New Testament only found in Revelation 19:1 where it is used on a like occasion. Note; The damnation of the finally impenitent will redound to God's glory, as well as the salvation of the faithful, and both afford matter for his saints' everlasting praises.