Psalm 104 Part 2

This psalm is arranged as a chiasm (‘V’ shape) that is rather complex. This is the simplified version for SMS: (each section has an inner chiasm with its own central axis statement.)

1a) Ps104:1a, Bless the Lord, O my soul!
1b) Ps104:1b-9, The greatness of God in His works:
1c) Ps104:10-23, The Lord provides for the needs of His creation:
central axis: v24, O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—;
2c) Ps104:25-30, The Lord provides for the needs of His creation:
2b) Ps104:31-35a, The glory of the Lord in His works:
2a) Ps104:35b, Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!
I point this out because the creation account of Genesis 1 is also arranged in a chiasm:
The days of ‘forming’
1a light; Day 1
1b water and sky; day 2
1c land and vegetation; day 3
The days of ‘filling’:
2a Sun moon and stars; Day 4
2b birds and fish; Day 5
2c animals and man; day 6
Apex statement to which the whole narrative is pointing; the Sabbath; Day 7

In vs24-32, the psalmist notes that The Lord’s creative endeavours are an ongoing process, making possible life as we know it.  By His grace, the sea is full of “innumerable living things” (v25).  Creatures receive food at His hand (v28).  He brings forth new life and oversees their deaths (vs29-30).
“Bless (Hebrew:barak) Yahweh, my soul”  (Hebrew:nephesh) (Repeated in v1a& 35b)).  The psalmist is exhorting himself to bless Yahweh. The word barak (bless) is closely related to berak (kneel) and berek (knee).  When the psalmist speaks of blessing the Lord, the word barak suggests kneeling in homage to Yahweh as a demonstration of reverence and an expression of praise.

The word ‘nephesh’ occurs 700 times in the OT and is variously translated as ‘soul’ ‘life’, ‘creature’ or person. The word immortal is never connected with nephesh in fact the opposite is the case. Notice 1Kings19:4 e.g. where most translations have ‘life’ for nephesh. David wants to worship God with his whole life. (C.F.Rom 12:1)