Psalms – Chapter 104

Old Testament45 Verses

Chapter Summary

Psalms 104 opens with the words: "Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles." The chapter centers on Abraham, Jacob and Joseph. Across its 45 verses, two threads run through the text: worship and praise and sin and divine judgment. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles.

2Sing to him, yea sing praises to him: relate all his wondrous works.

3Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

4Seek ye the Lord, and be strengthened: seek his face evermore.

5Remember his marvellous works which he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth.

6O ye seed of Abraham his servant; ye sons of Jacob his chosen.

7He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

8He hath remembered his covenant for ever: the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

9Which he made to Abraham; and his oath to Isaac:

10And he appointed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting testament:

11Saying: To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, the lot of your inheritance.

12When they were but a small number: yea very few, and sojourners therein:

13And they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.

14He suffered no man to hurt them: and he reproved kings for their sakes.

15Touch ye not my anointed: and do no evil to my prophets.

16And he called a famine upon the land: and he broke in pieces all the support of bread.

17He sent a man before them: Joseph, who was sold for a slave.

18They humbled his feet in fetters: the iron pierced his soul,

19Until his word came. The word of the Lord inflamed him.

20The king sent, and he released him: the ruler of the people, and he set him at liberty.

21He made him master of his house, and ruler of all his possession.

22That he might instruct his princes as himself, and teach his ancients wisdom.

23And Israel went into Egypt: and Jacob was a sojourner in the land of Cham.

24And he increased his people exceedingly: and strengthened them over their enemies.

25He turned their heart to hate his people: and to deal deceitfully with his servants.

26He sent Moses his servant: Aaron the man whom he had chosen.

27He gave them power to shew them signs, and his wonders in the land of Cham.

28He sent darkness, and made it obscure: and grieved not his words.

29He turned their waters into blood, and destroyed their fish.

30Their land brought forth frogs, in the inner chambers of their kings.

31He spoke, and there came divers sorts of flies and sciniphs in all their coasts.

32He gave them hail for rain, a burning fire in the land.

33And he destroyed their vineyards and their fig trees: and he broke in pieces the trees of their coasts.

34He spoke, and the locust came, and the bruchus, of which there was no number.

35And they devoured all the grass in their land, and consumed all the fruit of their ground.

36And he slew all the firstborn in their land: the firstfruits of all their labour.

37And he brought them out with silver and gold: and there was not among their tribes one that was feeble.

38Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them lay upon them.

39He spread a cloud for their protection, and fire to give them light in the night.

40They asked, and the quail came: and he filled them with the bread of heaven.

41He opened the rock, and waters flowed: rivers ran down in the dry land.

42Because he remembered his holy word, which he had spoken to his servant Abraham.

43And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness.

44And he gave them the lands of the Gentiles: and they possessed the labours of the people:

45That they might observe his justifications, and seek after his law.

Important Verses in Psalms 104

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.

Psalms 104:3

He is the Lord our God: his judgments are in all the earth.

Psalms 104:7

And they passed from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.

Psalms 104:13

Until his word came. The word of the Lord inflamed him.

Psalms 104:19

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Psalms was written with god's people at prayer in every age in view. Chapter 104 of 150 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a liturgical poem composed for Temple worship and personal prayer with 45 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Abraham, Jacob, Joseph and Aaron, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles." The final verse reads: "That they might observe his justifications, and seek after his law. " In terms of historical background, The 150 Psalms are the inspired prayer book of Israel and of the Church, spanning every human emotion—praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and hope. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

Who Wrote It

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists

When It Was Written

Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile

Catholic Commentary

At the literal level, the psalmist voices praise, lament, thanksgiving, or petition before God. A pivotal line is verse 3: "Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord." The passage repeatedly touches on worship and praise.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 1032).

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Abraham3 mentionsJacob3 mentionsJoseph1 mentionAaron1 mentionIsaac1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

In Psalms Chapter 104, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Psalms Chapter 104 supports that call by drawing attention to trust in providence amid uncertainty within the wider message that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him.

If this passage raises questions, seek the Church's teaching through the Catechism, a faithful priest, or sound Catholic commentaries. Private interpretation must remain in harmony with the Magisterium (CIC 2683).

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Psalms Chapter 104 about?

Psalms 104 contains 45 verses. It opens with "Give glory to the Lord, and call upon his name: declare his deeds among the Gentiles." and closes with "That they might observe his justifications, and seek after his law. ". The book as a whole is liturgical poetry and prayer.

What is a key verse in Psalms 104?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Psalms Chapter 104?

This chapter mentions Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Aaron, Isaac, among others.

Who wrote Psalms and when?

David is credited with many psalms; others by Asaph, the sons of Korah, Solomon, Moses, and anonymous psalmists. Composed across nearly a millennium, from David (c. 1000 BC) to after the exile.

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