Psalm 104 13

Psalm 104:13 kjv

He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.

Psalm 104:13 nkjv

He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.

Psalm 104:13 niv

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

Psalm 104:13 esv

From your lofty abode you water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your work.

Psalm 104:13 nlt

You send rain on the mountains from your heavenly home,
and you fill the earth with the fruit of your labor.

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 13 Meaning

Psalm 104:13 speaks to God's omnipotent and generous provision for the earth. It portrays Him as the one who causes rain to fall from His celestial abode onto even the highest mountains, resulting in the earth being abundantly satisfied and fruitful. This verse highlights divine sovereignty over nature, emphasizing that all natural bounty is a direct outcome of God's continuous and active creative works, leading to flourishing life and provision for all creation.

Psalm 104 13 Context

Psalm 104 is a grand hymn of praise dedicated to Yahweh as the majestic Creator and Sustainer of the cosmos, often seen as a poetic reflection and expansion upon the Genesis account of creation (especially Genesis 1). The psalm moves systematically through various aspects of creation—light, waters, land, heavens, animals, vegetation, and human dwelling—depicting God as actively involved in its ongoing maintenance. Verse 13 specifically fits into a section (verses 10-18) detailing how God provides water to the earth, from springs and rain, enabling life to flourish for all creatures and ultimately satisfying humanity. This hymn contrasts sharply with the polytheistic beliefs prevalent in the ancient Near East, which attributed control over natural elements like rain and fertility to various lesser deities (such as the Canaanite god Baal). By unequivocally attributing rain and earth's fruitfulness to YHWH alone, the psalmist asserts God's exclusive sovereignty over the natural order and all life. In a land where water was paramount for survival, divine control over rain meant absolute control over life itself.

Psalm 104 13 Word Analysis

• He waters (יַשְׁקֶה, yashqe): This is a Hiphil imperfect verb from the root שָׁקָה (shaqah), meaning "to give drink" or "to cause to drink/water." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action, highlighting God as the active and direct agent in providing water. The imperfect tense suggests a continuous, ongoing act—God is consistently watering, not just a one-time event. This emphasizes His sustained and reliable provision.

• the mountains (הָרִים, harim): Mountains, being high and often barren, are typically seen as less accessible and less fertile than valleys or plains. The fact that God waters them demonstrates the comprehensiveness and universality of His provision; no part of the earth is beyond His reach or care. It signifies His immense power and boundless generosity to irrigate even the most challenging terrains.

• from his upper chambers (מֵעֲלִיּוֹתָיו, me'aliyotav): Derived from עֲלִיָּה (aliyāh), meaning "upper room," "attic," or "lofty dwelling." The plural "chambers" suggests multiple sources or perhaps treasuries in the heavens. This imagery positions God's dwelling or storage place for water not on the earthly plane, but in the transcendental heavens, implying His divine, ultimate, and unchallenged control over precipitation. This concept aligns with the ancient understanding of waters being "above the firmament" (Gen 1:7) but serves primarily to underscore God's sovereignty over rain, distinguishing Him from any local, lesser deity. It directly refutes pagan beliefs that other gods provided rain, affirming YHWH alone is the source.

• the earth (הָאָרֶץ, ha'arets): Refers to the land, the entire planet, or the cultivated ground. It indicates that the beneficiaries of God's watering are widespread and encompassing, providing for both wild and cultivated areas, supporting all forms of life on Earth.

• is satisfied (תִּשְׂבַּע, tisba): From the verb שָׂבַע (sav’a), meaning "to be full," "to be satisfied," "to have enough." This passive form (implied in the way it's conjugated here) indicates that the earth receives ample, complete, and abundant provision. It speaks to the sufficiency and goodness of God's generosity, not merely bare subsistence but a thorough fulfillment of needs leading to flourishing.

• with the fruit (מִפְּרִי, miff'ri): Literally "from the fruit." P'ri signifies "fruit," "produce," or "offspring." Here it refers to the beneficial results or outcome of God's action—the rich vegetation, crops, and all life that emerges as a direct consequence of His watering.

• of your works (מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, ma'aseykha): This noun, meaning "works," "deeds," or "creations," explicitly links the earth's bounty back to God's continuous creative and sustaining activities. It reiterates that all the flourishing and satisfaction on Earth is not a natural accident or due to any other power, but the direct, intended "fruit" of God's purposeful and ongoing involvement in His creation. This underscores His ultimate authorship and dominion over the entire ecosystem.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "He waters the mountains from his upper chambers": This phrase highlights God's transcendental power and the celestial origin of rain. It signifies that divine provision originates from His supreme abode, extending even to the seemingly unreachable high places, thus demonstrating a boundless and all-encompassing care for creation.
  • "the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works": This clause encapsulates the generous and comprehensive outcome of God's action. It shows that God's work yields abundant fruit, leading to a state of satisfaction and flourishing throughout the natural world, indicating not merely survival but thriving and fulfillment by divine design.

Psalm 104 13 Bonus Section

• Theological Implication: This verse illustrates God's ongoing immanence in His creation. While transcendent (from "upper chambers"), He is intimately involved in its daily operation, showing His active presence and faithful sustenance, which goes beyond mere initial creation.
• Anti-Pagan Polemic: In a land surrounded by cultures worshipping storm gods (like Baal) for rain, this verse, along with the entire psalm, presents a powerful theological argument: Only YHWH controls the heavens and the vital life-giving rain. This asserts monotheism and His exclusive divine power over natural phenomena, discrediting idolatry.
• Wisdom Literature Connection: The control over weather, rain, and the resultant bounty is often presented as a hallmark of divine wisdom (e.g., Job 28, Prov 3:19-20). This psalm echoes such wisdom themes, linking God's creative acts to His profound understanding and governance of the world.

Psalm 104 13 Commentary

Psalm 104 serves as a magnificent declaration of God's glory revealed in creation. Verse 13 specifically hones in on God's essential role as the provider of water, which is fundamental to all life. The "upper chambers" refers to the celestial regions, signifying God's sovereign control from His divine abode, completely independent of human effort or pagan deities. This challenges ancient Near Eastern cults, like those of Baal, who were worshipped as controllers of storm and fertility. The psalmist firmly declares Yahweh alone holds this power, showering rain even on the inaccessible "mountains" to illustrate the pervasive reach of His provision.

The result is that "the earth is satisfied with the fruit of your works." This speaks not merely to sufficient rain for survival, but abundant, generous, and fulfilling provision that causes the land to teem with life. Every blossoming plant, every ripe crop, and every thriving ecosystem is a direct testimony to God's benevolent "works"—His continuous creative and sustaining power. It points to a dependable Creator who orchestrates the seasons and natural cycles, ensuring life's continuation. The verse paints a picture of creation that is not self-sustaining but utterly dependent upon and satisfied by the continuous, gracious action of God, leading to universal flourishing and peace.