Psalm 104
Benedic, anima mea
1
Praise the Lord, O my soul. *
O Lord my God, you have become exceedingly glorious; you are clothed with majesty and honor.
2
You clothe yourself with light as with a garment, *
and spread out the heavens like a curtain.
3
You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters, *
and make the clouds your chariot, and walk upon the wings of the wind.
4
You make winds your messengers, *
and flames of fire your ministers.
5
You laid the foundations of the earth, *
that it never should move at any time.
6
You cover it with the deep as with a garment; *
the waters stand above the hills.
7
At your rebuke they fled; *
at the voice of your thunder they hastened away.
8
They went up as high as the hills, and down to the valleys beneath, *
even to the place you had appointed for them.
9
You have set bounds for them which they shall not pass; *
neither shall they again cover the earth.
10
You send the springs into the rivers, *
which run among the hills.
11
All beasts of the field drink thereof, *
and the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12
Beside them shall the birds of the air have their habitation *
and sing among the branches.
13
You water the hills from above; *
the earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
14
You bring forth grass for the cattle, *
and plants for the service of mankind,
15
That they may bring food out of the earth, and wine that makes glad the heart, *
and oil to make a cheerful countenance, and bread to strengthen the heart.
16
The trees of the Lord also are full of sap, *
even the cedars of Lebanon which he planted,
17
Wherein the birds make their nests, *
and the fir trees are a dwelling for the stork.
18
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats, *
and so are the stony cliffs for the rock badgers.
19
You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, *
and the sun knows its going down.
20
You make darkness that it may be night, *
in which all the beasts of the forest move.
21
The lions, roaring after their prey, *
seek their meat from God.
22
The sun arises, and they go away together, *
and lay themselves down in their dens.
23
Man goes forth to his work, *
and to his labor until the evening.
24
O Lord, how manifold are your works; *
in wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25
So is the great and wide sea also, *
in which are things creeping innumerable, creatures both small and great.
26
There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
whom you made to take its pleasure therein.
27
These all wait upon you, *
that you may give them food in due season.
28
When you give it to them, they gather it, *
and when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29
When you hide your face, they are troubled; *
when you take away their breath, they die, and are turned again to their dust.
30
When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, *
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
31
The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever; *
the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32
He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.
33
I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
34
And so shall my words please him; *
my joy shall be in the Lord.
35
As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth, and the ungodly shall come to an end. *
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.