Lesson 1: The One We Worship

This particular Psalm has been referred to as “Genesis set to music” (Bruce, 627). Although it is not an extensive recounting of Genesis 1 and 2, it does seem to flow with the Creation account, providing a poetic hymnody attributed to the Creator of all the cosmos. Many biblical scholars compare this psalm to a hymn written by the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14^th century BC to the Egyptian sun god Aten (Bruce, 627). While there are many apparent parallels between the hymns, God is described in the psalm as riding on the clouds as on a chariot, while the god Aten is depicted as wearing the clouds as a garment. In contrast, God does not wear the clouds but rather clothes Himself in light, for that is who He is. Perhaps the psalmist wrote this psalm in direct contrast to the Egyptian poem in order to display the great power of Yahweh as Creator and Sovereign over all of creation—a power that surpasses that of any false gods of pagan nations. The psalmist spoke with the understanding and expression of one who truly knows God. The outward expression of this knowledge led the psalmist to offer worship as a natural response to all God is and all that He has done.

These verses teach the Essential Truth that God Is. Scripture states that God has revealed Himself through His creation (Psalm 19:1–6, Romans 1:19–20) so that we have no excuse but to see Him, seek Him, and know Him. The glory of God is vast and eternal, displayed throughout creation from the highest of the heavens to the depths of the sea, and is beyond what can be seen by the naked eye. Through His Glory, in this case His creation, God reveals that He is Creator, Sovereign, Provider, and Sustainer of all that He has created. Through His visible creation, He reveals His very nature. This is His glory—the revealing of Himself not by chance but by choice because He chooses to make Himself known to His people.

This passage of Scripture also teaches that People are God's Treasure.

Psalm 104:1 The psalmist began with a prologue in which he addresses himself and God. Caught up in his own rapture of joy and praise, he first called out to his soul to do what comes naturally in response to knowing God—worship. Secondly, he addressed God, acknowledging His greatness, splendor, and majesty. The psalmist merely recognized God for who He is before laying out the evidence for such greatness, splendor, and majesty.

Psalm 104:2–4 In an almost direct parallel to Genesis 1:1–7, the psalmist pointed to God as the Author of Light. The psalmist recorded that God then directed His attention toward the formation of the earth as He set up a tent, referred to as an “expanse” or sky in Genesis 1:6. As such, the psalmist created the imagery of God’s power and authority over His creation of the sky and everything above and below it by painting the picture of God riding on the clouds as though they were His own chariot.

The wind also is under God’s authority (Mark 4:39), submitting to Him in the same way that angels respond to the authority of Christ as His messengers, or “ministers of flame of fire” (Hebrews 1:7). The implication is that Jesus Christ is the active agent of creation as the Creator––the One who has authority over all, including His messengers, or angels.

Psalm 104:24–26 In describing God’s work at creation, the psalmist left no room for chance. He noted that it was no coincidence that the sea was full of all kinds of creatures both large and small. Ecological systems were created out of the vast wisdom and intellect of a Being far superior to that of humankind. Nothing was created without purpose. The sea itself provided a means of transportation for God’s creation of humanity while serving as a home for the “leviathan,” the enormous sea creature or whale. Who could think of all of this, much less create it with a useful purpose? Even the sea creatures found pleasure in God’s creation. The psalmist explained that God created these large creatures or whales to frolic in the sea.

Psalm 104:27–30 The psalmist noted that the whole of creation is dependent upon the life-giving sustenance of God. There is nothing that creation (including humanity) needs that does not come as a provision from God. Therefore, God has power and authority over rain or sunshine, food, clothing, and shelter. Creation is so dependent upon God that without His provision life ceases to exist, thus demonstrating His power over life itself. God Himself is Spirit, and the Spirit of God is the very breath that gives us life. If God turns His breath away from us, we no longer live.

Psalm 104:31–35 The psalmist ended his hymn in much the same way as he began. He returned to the praise of God the Father, Creator, and Sustainer of all life and creation. Just as in Genesis 1:31, the psalmist prayed that God would take delight in His creation, as He did in the beginning, and that all of life and creation would endure by God’s hand. Such power could not be tested or provoked and the psalmist knew that there would be repercussions in nature, such as earthquakes and volcanoes, over which man would have no control. God would demonstrate His control by causing all of creation to look to Him for enduring life.

What could be the proper response to the knowledge of God and the understanding of His role as Creator, Sustainer, Life-Giving Breath (Spirit), All-Powerful, All-Wise, All Knowing, the great I AM (Yahweh)? There is only one response, and the psalmist closed his hymn with it: “Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!”

How has God acted in your life to cause you to come to know Him in a way that you had not before? What was your response to Him? How would you convey this experience and your response to God to your learners? When we come to know God, we often encounter Him in such a way that it immediately evokes a response of awe and humility, making us conscious of our sin. The only thing that we can do is to obey God, which translates into worship. When we come to know God, His nature, His character, and how He has acted and continues to act in this world and in our lives, the only thing that we can do is offer our lives in obedience and praise.

This scripture passage has implications for all learners, both those at the beginning of their spiritual journey and those who have spent many years journeying with God. Worship is the only response to knowing God. When we know God, we trust God. When we trust God, we obey God. When we obey God, we worship God. As you prepare this lesson, consider how you can help learners at any stage in their faith journey acknowledge the awesome presence of God in their lives.