Psalms 104:12

12 By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.

Psalms 104:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 104:12

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation,
&c.] Another use of the springs, fountains, and rivers of water; by the sides and on the shores of these, some birds delight to be, and on trees that grow here do they build their nests; and here, having wetted their throats, they sit, and chirp, and sing: to doves, by rivers of water, is the allusion in ( Song of Solomon 5:12 ) .

Which sing among the branches;
of trees that grow by the sides of fountains and rivers; see ( Ezekiel 17:23 ) ( Matthew 13:32 ) . To such birds may saints be compared; being, like them, weak, defenceless, and timorous; liable to be taken in snares, and sometimes wonderfully delivered; as well as given to wanderings and strayings: and to fowls of the heaven, being heaven born souls, and partakers of the heavenly calling. These have their habitation by the fountain of Jacob, by the river of divine love, beside the still waters of the sanctuary; where they sing the songs of Zion, the songs of electing, redeeming, and calling grace.

Psalms 104:12 In-Context

10 Thou makest springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills,

11 they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst.

12 By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches.

13 From thy lofty abode thou waterest the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy work.

14 Thou dost cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth,