Psalm 104:4

Translations

Modern

He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

Traditional

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:

Literal

…making the winds His messengers, His servants flaming fire.

Latin

…qui facis angelos tuos spiritus, et ministros tuos ignem urentem.

Original

Hebrew

English

He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

Notes

Psalms 104:4

Wind and lightning (flames of fire) are described as God’s messengers. The Lord controls the wind, rain, and storms and uses them as he desires (Psalm 77:17–18; 78:26; 135:7; 148:5–6).
The psalmist refers to the third day of creation (Genesis 1:9–13). The Lord is master of water and earth.

Psalms 104:2–4

The psalmist refers to two days of creation (see Genesis 1:1–8), when God created the heavens and the light.

Psalms 104:1–35

This creation hymn (see also Psalms 8, 33, 145) praises God's goodness and greatness. The psalmist thinks about the current world, the original creation, and a future new creation. He views both creations as wonderfully and wisely made (compare Psalm 139:14), as the work of the Lord's Spirit (104:30; Genesis 1:2; 2 Corinthians 3:6).

Theme notes and profiles

David Beauty in Nature Blessing The Creator-King

Related verses

Hebrews 1:7
Now about the angels He says: “He makes His angels winds, His servants flames of fire.”
2 Kings 6:17
Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 2:11
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind.
Hebrews 1:14
Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Psalm 148:8
…lightning and hail, snow and clouds, powerful wind fulfilling His word,
Ezekiel 1:13
In the midst of the living creatures was the appearance of glowing coals of fire, or of torches. Fire moved back and forth between the living creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.
Acts 23:8
For the Sadducees say that there is neither a resurrection nor angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.

Glossary

David Gratitude Music New Creation, New Creature Psalms, Book of Servant

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): Ministrant to the Righteous Angel (A Spirit): Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Angels are Ministering Spirits Birds: God Provides For Blessing: Temporal, from God Fire: Spiritual Power Fire: Zeal of Angels God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Psalm 104:4

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