Psalm 104:24-35 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 104:24-35 on biblegateway.com
Verse 24O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Verse 25Yonder is the sea, great and wide, creeping things innumerable are there, living things both small and great.
Verse 26There go the ships, and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
Verse 27These all look to you to give them their food in due season;
Verse 28when you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
Verse 29When you hide your face, they are dismayed; when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
Verse 30When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
Verse 31May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works-
Verse 32who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke.
Verse 33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
Verse 34May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
Verse 35Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!
Devotion
Psalms often reflect other Bible passages. Psalms 104 seems to mimic Genesis 1 but in greater detail. Why such a reading in the Pentecost season? Could it be the activity of God’s Spirit in both texts?
As Christians we think of God’s Spirit when we look at the gifts with which God has endowed the Church. So, what are our talents: making music, preparing Bible studies, distributing communion, teaching Sunday school? The list is nearly endless in every congregation.
But the Bible enlarges the scope of these divine activities to include farming, raising kids, ruling a nation … in short, just about any decent occupation or activity. Even the birds, beasts and fishes who get their daily sustenance from God lend their voices in praise. God’s Spirit is very busy in the world. Working faith in our hearts may head the list, but there is much more for which to give thanks.
Prayer
Lord, your Spirit is promised us. Give us the insight to see that you have kept your promise. Amen.