Psalms 104:16

16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

Psalms 104:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 104:16

The trees of the Lord are full of sap
Or "satiated" F19; that is, with rain; and through it are filled with fruits. This is to be understood not only of the tallest and largest trees; which are therefore called the trees of the Lord, as high mountains are called the mountains of the Lord, ( Psalms 36:6 ) and so other things excellent in their kind: but of trees of the field and forest; so the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions; which are not planted and cultivated by man, as trees in gardens and orchards are; but are more especially under the care and cultivation of the Lord himself, and may design such as were produced by him at the creation.

The cedars of Lebanon which he hath planted;
a mountain on the borders of Judea, so called from its whiteness, through the snow on it, as the Alps are; and where grew great quantities of large and spreading cedars, which were not of man's, but of the Lord's planting: these were watered and made to grow with the rain of heaven. Rauwolff F20, who was upon this mountain in 1574, says,

``though this hill in former ages has been quite covered over with cedars, yet they are so decreased, that I could tell, says he, no more but twenty four, that stood round about in a circle; and two others, the branches whereof are quite decayed with age.''

But Thevenot F21, who has been there since, affirms there are no more nor less than twenty three, great and small; of the largeness, thickness, and height of these trees, (See Gill on Isaiah 37:24). Saints are often compared to trees, which are planted by the Lord in Christ, and in his churches; and particularly to cedars, for their height, strength, and durableness; see ( Psalms 92:13 Psalms 92:14 ) , and these, through the grace of God, are full of sap and spiritual life, and are filled with the fruits of righteousness, and are often represented as planted and growing by rivers of water; see ( Numbers 24:6 ) ( Psalms 1:3 ) ( Jeremiah 17:8 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (webvy) "satiantur", Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius; so Musculus, Gejerus, Michaelis.
F20 Travels, par. 2. ch. 13. p. 191.
F21 Travels, par. 1. B. 2. ch. 60. p. 224.

Psalms 104:16 In-Context

14 You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth,
15 and wine to gladden the human heart, oil to make the face shine, and bread to strengthen the human heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 In them the birds build their nests; the stork has its home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the coneys.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.