Psalms 104:16-35

The trees of the Lord drink until they’re satisfied. Lebanon’s lofty trees stand tall right where you planted them. Within their branches you provide for birds a place to build their nests; even herons find a home in the cypress trees. You make the high mountains a home for wild goats and the rocky crag where the rock badgers burrow. You made the moon to mark the months and the sun to measure the days. You turn off the light and it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest come out to prowl. The mighty lions roar for their dinner, but it’s you, God, who feeds them all. At sunrise they slink back to their dens to crouch down in the shadows. Then man goes out to his labor and toil, working from dawn to dusk. O Lord, what an amazing variety of all you have created! Wild and wonderful is this world you have made, while wisdom was there at your side. This world is full of so many creatures, yet each belongs to you! And then there is the sea! So vast! So wide and deep— swarming with countless forms of sea life, both small and great. Trading ships glide through the high seas. And look! There are the massive whales bounding upon the waves. All the creatures wait expectantly for you to give them their food as you determine. You come near and they all gather around, feasting from your open hands, and each is satisfied from your abundant supply. But if you were to withhold from them and turn away, they all would panic. And when you choose to take away their breath, each one dies and returns to the dust. When you release your Spirit-Wind, life is created, ready to replenish life upon the earth. May God’s glorious splendor endure forever! May the Lord take joy and pleasure in all that he has made. For the earth’s overseer has the power to make it tremble; just a touch of his finger and volcanoes erupt as the earth shakes and melts. I will sing my song to the Lord as long as I live! Every day I will sing my praises to God. May you be pleased with every sweet thought I have about you, for you are the source of my joy and gladness. Now, let all the sinners be swept from the earth. But I will keep on praising you, my Lord, with all that is within me. My joyous, blissful shouts of “Hallelujah” are all because of you!