Psalm 104:8
ESV
The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them.
NIV
they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.
NASB
The mountains rose; the valleys sank down To the place which You established for them.
CSB
mountains rose and valleys sank — to the place you established for them.
NLT
Mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed.
KJV
They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
NKJV
They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them.
What does Psalm 104:8 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 104, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 104:5–30 celebrates God's greatness as demonstrated in creation. All animals, all resources, all climates, and all environments are part of His design. So, too, are the sun and moon which are used to divide time. The Lord established every aspect of these natural elements. Without Him, nothing could exist. Only He creates and controls life. This is a more extensive description than other psalms which touch on creation (Psalm 8; 19; 24; 65; 95; 102; 121; 147).
The psalmist praises the Lord for His creation. God is credited with establishing the earth, setting boundaries for bodies of water, and providing water and food for animals and human beings. What God has made includes proper living spaces for all sorts of life. He set the motions of the sun and moon. All creation owes its existence to God's Spirit. The psalmist resolves to continue praising the Lord while hoping that the wicked will be removed from earth.
