Psalms 104:12 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing amongst the branches.

BSB

The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.

KJV

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

ASV

By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.

BBE

The birds of the air have their resting-places by them, and make their song among the branches.

Original Hebrew

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עֲלֵיהֶם 'a·lei·hem at them H5921 עוֹף־ 'of- [the] bird[s] of H5775 הַשָּׁמַיִם ha·sha·ma·yim the heavens H8064 יִשְׁכּוֹן yish·kon it dwells H7931 מִבֵּין mi·bein from between H996 עֳפָאיִם 'o·fa·yim foliage H6073 יִתְּנוּ־ yi·te·nu- they give forth H5414 קוֹל kol voice H6963

The early church

Then the Psalm goes on in its text, "Upon them the fowls of the heaven shall inhabit" [Psalm 104:12]. ...Upon the mountains, then, the fowls of the air shall have their habitation. We see these birds dwell upon the mountains, but many of them dwell in plains, many in valleys, many in groves, many in gardens, not all upon mountains. There are some fowls that dwell not save on the mountains. Some spiritual souls doth this name denote. Fowls are spiritual hearts, which enjoy the free air. In the clearness of heaven these birds delight, yet their feeding is on the mountains, there will they dwell. Ye know the mountains, they have been already treated of. Mountains are Prophets, mountains are Apostles, mountains are all preachers of the truth. ...But think not that those "fowls of heaven" follow their own authority; see what the Psalm saith: "From the midst of the rocks they shall give their voice." Now, if I shall say to you, Believe, for this said Cicero, this said Plato, this said Pythagoras: which of you will not laugh at me? For I shall be a bird that shall send forth my voice not from the rock. What ought each one of you to say to me? what ought he who is thus instructed to say? "If any one shall have preached unto you a gospel other than that ye have received, let him be anathema." What dost thou tell me of Plato, and of Cicero, and of Virgil? Thou hast before thee the rocks of the mountains, from the midst of the rocks give me thy voice. Let them be heard, who hear from the rock: let them be heard, because also in those many rocks the One Rock is heard: for "the Rock was Christ." Let them therefore be willingly heard, giving their voice from the midst of the rocks. Nothing is sweeter than such a voice of birds. They sound, and the rocks resound: they sound; spiritual men discuss: the rocks resound, testimonies of Scripture give answer. Lo! thence the fowls give their voice from the midst of the rocks, for they dwell on the mountains.

Augustine of Hippo · d. 430Expositions on the Psalms

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 10–18

When we reflect upon the provision made for all creatures, we should also notice the natural worship they render to God. Yet man, forgetful ungrateful man, enjoys the largest measure of his Creator's kindness. the earth, varying in different lands. Nor let us forget spiritual blessings; the fruitfulness of the church through grace, the bread of everlasting life, the cup of salvation, and the oil of gladness. Does God provide for the inferior creatures, and will he not be a refuge to his people?

Read Matthew Henry on Psalm 104 →

Spurgeon · Verse 12

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches. How refreshing are these words! What happy memories they arouse of splashing waterfalls and entangled boughs, where the merry din of the falling and rushing water forms a sort of solid background of music, and the sweet tuneful notes of the birds are the brighter and more flashing lights in the harmony. Pretty birdies, sing on! What better can ye do, and who can do it better? When we too drink of the river of God, and eat of the fruit of the tree of fife, it well becomes us to "sing among the branches." Where ye dwell ye sing; and shall not we rejoice in the Lord, who has been our dwelling place in all generations. As ye fly from bough to bough, ye warble forth your notes, and so will we as we flit through time into eternity. It is not meet that birds of Paradise should be outdone by birds of earth.

Read Spurgeon on Psalm 104 →

Cross-references

7

Topics

Birds