This Is My Father's World - Psalm 104

The psalmist begins with "Bless the LORD, O my soul," and goes on to tell why he is doing that. He speaks of God's work at creation and His continuing care for everything He has made. Here are selected verses from the psalm:

He sendeth the springs into the valleys,
which run among the hills.
They give drink to every beast of the field;
the wild asses quench their thirst.
By them shall the fowls of the heavens have their habitation,
that sing among the branches...
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle,
and herb for the service of man,
that he may bring forth food out of the earth...
The trees of the LORD are full of sap...
Where the birds make their nests...
The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats;
and the rocks for the badgers...
Thou makest darkness, and it is night,
wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
The young lions roar after their prey,
and seek their food from God...
Man goeth forth unto his work and
to his labor until the evening.
O LORD, how manifold are Thy works!
In wisdom hast Thou made them all;
the earth is full of Thy riches.
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things
creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts...
These all wait upon Thee, that Thou mayest
give them their food in due season.
That which Thou givest them they gather;
Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.
Thou hidest Thy face, they are troubled;
Thou takest away their breath, they die,
and return to their dust.
Thou sendest forth Thy Spirit, they are created;
and Thou renewest the face of the earth.
The glory of the LORD shall endure forever;
the LORD shall rejoice in His works.

Parts of this psalm kept coming to mind the past couple of weeks as I hiked two trails at a local metro park several times. Lilacs, wild geraniums, wild blue phlox, bluebells, bloodroot, trillium, spring beauties, violets, flowering trees, Dutchman's breeches, etc. were just beautiful! I marveled over and over again at God's creative and sustaining power. It was overwhelming to think how many creatures there must be in the world, plus all the plants, and God feeds and takes care of them all! And, He has no trouble doing it!

It also reminds me of a line from one of the songs we've taught the little children in our class at church: "For if the Father's eye is on the sparrow, then surely He will care for you."

It was a great comfort to meditate on God's care for each of us, and myself in particular, during this time of my mother's terminal illness. We are all in God's hands, and He will glorify Himself and do what is best for us.