Psalms 104:12

12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

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Psalms 104:12 in Other Translations

KJV

12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

ESV

12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; they sing among the branches.

NLT

12 The birds nest beside the streams and sing among the branches of the trees.

MSG

12 Along the riverbanks the birds build nests, ravens make their voices heard.

CSB

12 The birds of the sky live beside [the springs]; they sing among the foliage.

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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Psalms 104:12 In-Context

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.

11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.

13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:

Cross References 2

1. ver 17; Matthew 8:20
2. Matthew 13:32