Psalm 104 14

Psalm 104:14 kjv

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

Psalm 104:14 nkjv

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,

Psalm 104:14 niv

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate? bringing forth food from the earth:

Psalm 104:14 esv

You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth

Psalm 104:14 nlt

You cause grass to grow for the livestock
and plants for people to use.
You allow them to produce food from the earth ?

Psalm 104 verses

Psalm 104 14 Meaning

Psalm 104:14 celebrates God as the diligent and benevolent Provider who meticulously orchestrates the earth's fertility. He causes various forms of vegetation to grow: grass specifically for the sustenance of livestock, and plants that require human labor and cultivation to yield food for humanity. This verse beautifully portrays God's precise care, highlighting His initiative in provisioning for all living creatures, while also delineating humanity's role as stewards in cooperation with His creative design to bring forth nourishment from the ground.

Psalm 104 14 Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn celebrating the Lord God as the Creator and Sustainer of the entire cosmos. It systematically reflects the order of creation as presented in Genesis 1, though not strictly verse by verse. The psalm moves from the vastness of the heavens (vv. 1-9) to the provision for life on Earth (vv. 10-18), depicting God's detailed wisdom in sustaining water sources, providing shelter for wild animals, and arranging for various forms of vegetation. Verse 14 falls within this section that focuses on God's provision for earthly life, specifically plant life. It emphasizes that both the spontaneous growth for animals and the cultivated crops for humanity are directly initiated and sustained by God. This grand portrayal serves as a theological statement against any contemporary pagan beliefs that attributed natural fertility or specific domains of nature to various idols or impersonal forces, firmly declaring Yahweh as the sole and benevolent provider for all living beings, orchestrating both the natural cycles and humanity's cooperative role within them.

Psalm 104 14 Word analysis

• He causes... to grow (יַצְמִ֨יחַ, yatsmiach): This is a Hiphil imperfect form of the Hebrew verb צָמַח (tsamach), meaning "to sprout, grow, spring forth." The Hiphil stem indicates a causative action: God actively makes or causes the growth to happen. This signifies His direct involvement and initiative, not merely allowing growth, but compelling it into existence. This same root is used elsewhere in the Old Testament to speak of the "Branch" (Messiah) whom God will cause to grow, underscoring God's power to bring forth life for specific purposes.
• the grass (חָצִ֖יר, chatsir): This Hebrew noun refers generally to green grass, herbage, or pasturage. It typically denotes vegetation that grows naturally and freely, without requiring specific human intervention like tilling or planting. Its pairing with "livestock" suggests wild, uncultivated fodder.
• for the livestock (בְּהֵמָ֑ה, bəhemāh): A general term for domestic animals, beasts, or cattle. This highlights God's universal care, extending His provision even to the non-human creatures. Their food source (grass) is divinely provided without their effort or complex cultivation, showcasing God's direct, effortless provision.
• and plants (וְעֵ֣שֶׂב, və‘eseb): This Hebrew word means "herb," "vegetation," or "plant." While it can be general, in this context, contrasting with chatsir (grass), it often implies cultivated plants—those grown for human consumption. This distinction underlines God's intentional design for different types of vegetation with varied purposes.
• for people to cultivate (לַעֲבֹדַ֣ת הָאָדָ֑ם, la‘ăvoḏaṯ hā’āḏām): This is a highly significant phrase. It literally means "for the service of humanity" or "for the cultivation/work of humanity." The word ‘avodah ("service" or "work") often implies labor or worship. Here, it clearly points to human agency and responsibility in tending the earth. Unlike the spontaneous growth of grass, many plants that produce human food require effort, planting, tilling, and harvesting. This echoes the cultural mandate given to humanity in Gen 2:15, where Adam was placed in the garden "to work it and keep it."
• that they may bring forth (לְהוֹצִ֣יא, ləhôṣi’): This Hiphil infinitive construct of יָצָא (yatsa) means "to cause to go out, to bring forth, to produce." The "they" here refers to the plants (or the earth through the plants), but critically, it is "brought forth" through human cultivation mentioned immediately prior. It emphasizes the purpose and outcome of God's provision—production.
• food (לֶ֣חֶם, leḥem): This word primarily means "bread," but it frequently serves as a metonymy for "food" in general, particularly staples or meals derived from grains. It points directly to basic human sustenance.
• from the earth (מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ, min-hā’āreṣ): This phrase clarifies the immediate source of the sustenance. The earth is the medium through which God's life-giving power is expressed. It reminds humanity of their connection to and dependence upon the physical ground God created.

Psalm 104 14 Bonus section

• This verse undergirds the biblical concept of humanity's "cultural mandate" found in Genesis 1:28 and 2:15, where humans are tasked with responsibly "subduing" and "working" the earth. God does not just give food; He gives the means by which food is produced through human effort.
• The careful distinction between provision for animals (spontaneous grass) and humans (cultivated plants) reveals the ordered wisdom and differential design in God's creation, catering precisely to the needs and roles of each category of life.
• Psalm 104, particularly this verse, serves as a powerful theological counterpoint to ancient Near Eastern polytheistic beliefs, where fertility and agricultural abundance were attributed to various Baal and Astarte deities. The psalmist firmly declares that Yahweh alone, the Creator God, is the consistent and reliable source of all vegetation and life-sustaining food.
• The verse implies a harmony within creation: the earth (min-hā’āreṣ) yields its fruit not by chance but by God's initial impulse and continuous support, coupled with human interaction, demonstrating a perfectly integrated ecosystem designed and maintained by a benevolent Creator.

Psalm 104 14 Commentary

Psalm 104:14 offers a profound insight into God's sovereign and benevolent provision for His creation. It beautifully bifurcates divine sustenance: for livestock, God causes grass to grow spontaneously, requiring no effort from the animals. This highlights God's direct, effortless, and overflowing provision for non-human life, affirming His meticulous care for even the humblest creatures. In contrast, for humanity, He causes "plants to cultivate," implying an intentional divine design that incorporates human labor. This is not a punitive measure but a cooperative venture where God provides the initial seed, the fertile earth, and the growth, but humanity participates in the process through cultivation, nurturing, and harvesting. This division underscores the uniqueness of humanity's role as stewards entrusted with working the earth, not simply receiving its bounty passively. The ultimate outcome, "that they may bring forth food from the earth," emphasizes God's generous purpose behind this intricate system—ensuring abundant sustenance for all. It proclaims God as the sole Giver of all life and its means, counteracting any notion of independent human provision or the efficacy of pagan deities.For instance, a farmer plants a seed; God causes it to sprout, grow, and bear fruit. A shepherd guides his flock to pasture; God caused that grass to grow for them.