Psalm 104:3

3 the one who sets beams in the waters [for] his upper chambers, who makes clouds his chariot, who rides on [the] wings of [the] wind,

Psalm 104:3 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 104:3

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters
Or "his upper rooms" ^F9; one story over another being built by him in the heavens, ( Amos 9:6 ) , the chambers where he resides; his courts, as the Targum; his palace and apartments, his presence chamber particularly, the floor and beams of them are the waters bound up in the thick clouds; or the region of the air, from whence the rain descends to water the hills, as in ( Psalms 104:13 ) .

Who maketh the clouds his chariot;
to ride in; in these sometimes Jehovah rides to execute judgment on his enemies, ( Isaiah 19:1 ) and in these sometimes he appears in a way of grace and mercy to his people, ( Exodus 13:21 ) ( 19:9 ) ( 1 Kings 8:11 ) ( Matthew 17:5 ) , in these, as in chariots, Christ went up to heaven; and in these will he come a second time; and into these will the saints be caught up to meet the Lord in the air at his coming, ( Acts 1:9 ) ( Revelation 1:7 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 4:17 ) .

Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
see ( Psalms 18:10 ) which is expressive of his swiftness in coming to help and assist his people in time of need; who helps, and that right early; and may very well be applied both to the first and second coming of Christ, who came leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills, when he first came; and, when he comes a second time, will be as a roe or a young hart upon the mountains of spices, ( Song of Solomon 2:8 ) ( 8:14 ) . The Targum is,

``upon the swift clouds, like the wings of an eagle;''

hence, perhaps, it is, the Heathens have a notion of Jupiter's being carried in a chariot through the air, when it thunders and lightens {k}.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 (wytwyle) , (uperwa) , Sept. "coenacula sua superiora", Gejerus; so Michaelis.
F11 Vid. Horat. Camin. l. 1. Ode 34. v. 5. "Namque diespiter" Et. Ode 12. v. 58. "Tu gravi curru quaties Olympum".

Psalm 104:3 In-Context

1 Bless Yahweh, O my soul. O Yahweh my God, you are very great. You clothe yourself [with] splendor and majesty,

2 [you] who cover [yourself] with light as [with] a garment, who stretch out [the] heavens like a tent curtain,

3 the one who sets beams in the waters [for] his upper chambers, who makes clouds his chariot, who rides on [the] wings of [the] wind,

4 who makes his messengers [the] winds, his attendants a flame of fire.

5 He established [the] earth on her foundations, [so that] it will not be moved forever and ever.

Footnotes

• [a] Hebrew "goes"