Psalm 104:27

EXPOSITION

Verse 27. These wait all upon thee. They come around thee as fowls around the farmer's door at the time for feeding, and look up with expectation. Men or marmots, eagles or emmets, whales or minnows, they alike rely upon thy care.

That thou mayest give them meat in due season; that is to say, when they need it and when it is ready for them. God has a time for all things, and does not feed his creatures by fits and starts; he gives them daily bread, and a quantity proportioned to their needs. This is all that any of us should expect; if even the brute creatures are content with a sufficiency we ought not to be more greedy than they.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 27. -- There are five things to be observed in God's sustaining all animals. His power, which alone suffices for all: "These wait all upon thee." Wisdom, which selects a fitting time: "That thou mayest give them their meat in due season." His majesty rising above all: "That thou givest them they gather," like the crumbs falling from the table of their supreme Lord. His liberality, which retains nothing in his open hand that it does not give: "Thou openest thine hand." His original goodness that flows down to all: "They are filled with good," that is, with the good things that spring from thy goodness. --Le Blanc.

Verse 27. -- That thou mayest give them their meat in due season; or, in his time; every one in its own time which is natural to them, and they have been used to, at which time the Lord gives it to them, and they take it; it would be well if men would do so likewise, eat and drink in proper and due time, Ecclesiastes 10:17 . Christ speaks a word in season to weary souls; his ministers give to every one his portion of meat in due season; and a word spoken in due season, how good and sweet is it? Isaiah 7:4 Luke 7:12 Proverbs 15:23 . --John Gill.

Verse 27. --

These, Lord, all wait on thee, that thou their food may it give them; Thou to their wants attendest; They gather what thou sendest; Thine hand thou openest, all their need supplying, Over lookest not the least, the greatest satisfying.

When thou dost hide thy face a sudden change comes over them Their breath in myriads taken, They die no more to awaken; But myriads more thy Spirit soon createth, And the whole face of nature quickly renovateth.

The glory of the Lord, changeless, endures for ever;
In all his works delighting,
Nor even the smallest slighting;
Yet, if he frown, earth shrinks with fear before him,
And, at his touch, the hills with kindling flames adore him, --John Burton.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 27. -- Trace the analogy in the spiritual world. The saints waiting, Psalms 5:27 ; their sustenance from the opened hand, Psalms 5:28 ; their trouble under the hidden face; their death if the Spirit were gone, Psalms 5:29 ; their revival when the Spirit returns, Psalms 5:30 .