Psalm 104:3

3 Who covers his chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks 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 the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou hast clothed thyself with praise and honour:

2 who dost robe thyself with light as with a garment; spreading out the heaven as a curtain.

3 Who covers his chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks on the wings of the wind.

4 Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire.

5 Who establishes the earth on her sure foundation: it shall not be moved for ever.

6 The deep, as it were a garment, is his covering: the waters shall stand on the hills.

7 At thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of thy thunder they shall be alarmed.

8 They go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which thou hast founded for them.

9 Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth.

10 He sends forth his fountains among the valleys: the waters shall run between the mountains.

11 They shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field: the wild asses shall take of them to quench their thirst.

12 By them shall the birds of the sky lodge: they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks.

13 He waters the mountains from his chambers: the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

14 He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth;

15 and wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil: and bread strengthens man’s heart.

16 The trees of the plain shall be full of sap; even the cedars of Libanus which he has planted.

17 There the sparrows will build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them.

18 The high mountains are a refuge for the stags, and the rock for the rabbits.

19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down.

20 Thou didst make darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad:

21 even young lions roaring for prey, and to seek meat for themselves from God.

22 The sun arises, and they shall be gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens.

23 Man shall go forth to his work, and to his labour till evening.

24 How great are thy works, O Lord! in wisdom hast thou wrought them all: the earth is filled with thy creation.

25 So is this great and wide sea: there are things creeping innumerable, small animals and great.

26 There go the ships; and this dragon whom thou hast made to play in it.

27 All wait upon thee, to give them their food in due season.

28 When thou hast given it them, they will gather it; and when thou hast opened thine hand, they shall all be filled with good.

29 But when thou hast turned away thy face, they shall be troubled: thou wilt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust.

30 Thou shalt send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.

31 Let the glory of the Lord be for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works;

32 who looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord while I live; I will sing praise to my God while I exist.

34 Let my meditation be sweet to him: and I will rejoice in the Lord.

35 Let the sinners fail from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.