Psalm 104 10

Psalm 104:10 kjv

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.

Psalm 104:10 nkjv

He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills.

Psalm 104:10 niv

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

Psalm 104:10 esv

You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills;

Psalm 104:10 nlt

You make springs pour water into the ravines,
so streams gush down from the mountains.

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 10 Meaning

Psalm 104:10 eloquently portrays God's active and continuous provision of water across the earth, ensuring sustenance for all life. It illustrates the divine wisdom orchestrating the intricate hydrological cycle, where water sources originate and flow through diverse landscapes, from the low-lying valleys to the elevated hills. This verse underscores God's intimate, comprehensive care for His creation, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness as the sole and supreme Sustainer.

Psalm 104 10 Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise, mirroring the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, celebrating God as the benevolent Creator and diligent Sustainer of the cosmos. The psalm systematically moves through various aspects of God's handiwork, from His garments of light and the structuring of the earth to the intricate balance of the ecosystems. Verse 10 specifically details God's vital provision of water, an essential element for life. It places the intricate hydrological cycle squarely under divine authority, showcasing how God meticulously waters the earth's varied terrain, from the deep valleys to the towering hills, ensuring all living things are nourished. This divine oversight directly challenges ancient polytheistic notions of separate deities controlling different natural phenomena, unequivocally asserting Yahweh's sole and all-encompassing sovereignty.

Psalm 104 10 Word analysis

• He sends (יְשַׁלַּח, yěšallach): From the Hebrew verb שָׁלַח (shalach), in the Hiphil imperfect form. This grammatical construction emphasizes God's active, direct, and intentional agency. It is not a passive or distant act, but God personally initiating and effecting the distribution of water. This highlights His direct involvement in His creation's sustenance.
• springs (מַעְיָנוֹת, ma‘yanoth): The plural of מַעְיָן (ma‘yan), signifying natural sources of flowing water, such as fountains or wellsprings. These are sources of fresh, living water, critical for life in an often-arid climate. Their provision by God indicates an abundant and life-sustaining supply, vital for all biological needs.
• into the valleys (בַּנְּחָלִים, bannĕchalim): From נַחַל (nahal), referring to wadis or torrent-beds—depressions that are often dry but fill with water during the rainy season or from permanent springs. Placing springs here signifies God's precise and comprehensive provision, ensuring water reaches the typically low-lying and often vulnerable areas, providing critical hydration for the land and its creatures.
• they flow (יְהַלְּכוּן, yĕhallĕkhun): From the Hebrew verb הָלַךְ (halak), in the Hithpael imperfect, indicating continuous or habitual movement. While "halak" means "to walk" or "to go," in this context, it metaphorically denotes the steady and ongoing movement of water. The Hithpael highlights the self-sustaining and continuous nature of this process under God's orchestration, emphasizing consistent divine care rather than a one-time event.
• among the hills (בֵּין הָרִים, bein harim): "Harim" (הָרִים) denotes mountains or hills. This phrase indicates that God's water provision is not restricted to low-lying areas but extends to elevated and rugged terrains. It emphasizes the ubiquity and universal scope of God's benevolent provision, ensuring that the entire diverse landscape receives the necessary lifeblood.

• Words-group analysis:
• "He sends springs into the valleys": This phrase immediately establishes God's absolute sovereignty as the sole Originator and Distributor of essential life-sustaining resources. It powerfully asserts His active beneficence, demonstrating that He cares for even the less accessible or naturally drier regions, ensuring life where it might otherwise struggle. This directly counters ancient Near Eastern pagan beliefs where various lesser deities were thought to control specific natural phenomena, asserting Yahweh's unique power.
• "they flow among the hills": This complements the preceding phrase by broadening the scope of divine provision. It showcases God's meticulous care, ensuring that vital water penetrates all levels of the landscape, reaching even the elevated and challenging terrains. This expansive reach signifies God's thoroughness and commitment to nourishing the entire ecosystem, sustaining flora and fauna across diverse topographies.

Psalm 104 10 Bonus section

• The mention of "nahalim" (valleys/wadis) holds significant cultural weight for an ancient Near Eastern audience, as these temporary riverbeds or ravines are crucial, yet often dry, conduits for water. God’s act of sending springs into them speaks to His perfect knowledge and provision for the most critical needs in an arid climate.
• This verse is part of a larger theme in Psalm 104 (vv. 10-18) that details the life cycle supported by water: animals drinking, birds nesting, trees growing for animals and humans, all provided by God.
• The passage stands in implicit polemic against pagan creation myths, particularly those featuring Baal or other storm gods, who were often depicted as struggling to control rain and fertility. Psalm 104 confidently attributes all life-giving water, effortlessly and continuously, to Yahweh alone, affirming His supreme, unchallenged authority over nature.

Psalm 104 10 Commentary

Psalm 104:10 serves as a profound testament to God's continuous and active involvement as the benevolent Sustainer of creation. Far from being a distant clockmaker, God personally orchestrates the very flow of water that gives and maintains life. The imagery of springs flowing into valleys and through hills speaks to the comprehensive nature of His provision: no part of His creation is beyond His watchful care. This verse highlights the marvelous wisdom inherent in God's design of the hydrological cycle, which perpetually refreshes the earth. It portrays His unwavering faithfulness and challenges any fragmented, polytheistic views of nature by attributing all life-giving processes to the one, true, and living God. This continuous divine act ensures the intricate balance of the ecosystem, nourishing all creatures and vegetation, testifying to God's abundant love and attention to detail.