Week 16 Psalm 104
Psalm 104 is a kind of supplement to Genesis 1.
Here’s an example of that:
Genesis 1: then God said, “Let the land burst forth with every sort of grass and seed-bearing plant. And let there be trees that grow seed-bearing fruit…” And so it was. The land was filled with seed-bearing plants and trees, and their seeds produced plants and trees of like kind.
Then I see how Psalm 104 complements that when David says to the Lord: you cause grass to grow for the cattle. You cause plants to grow for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth – wine to make them glad, olive oil as a lotion for their skin, and bread to give them strength. The trees of the Lord are well cared for…the birds make their nests, and storks make their homes in the firs.
Psalm 104 is a nice elaboration on the creation story and I wonder if the Genesis version could be beefed-up by adding the psalm. I think about recomposing-paraphrasing-&-amalgamating the two. But quick enough I know that this Grass & Tree Segment alone would take more time than I’ve got (I don’t think time is my enemy…but it isn’t my friend either).
But that’s not the only thing. I think I’d be trying to stitch together two completely different kinds of literature. Genesis 1 is descriptive. Psalm 104 is more like a hymn…more like poetry. They help each other. But are maybe better kept separate.
Note: quotes from Genesis 1:11-12 Psalm 104:14-17 (NLT)